Connect Care Manual - PAC Optimization Project

Preadmission Clinic (PAC) Optimization Project - Information and Supports

The PAC Optimization Project launched October 21, 2025, and brings important updates to pre-procedure workflows that directly affect prescribers across surgical and non-surgical specialties. These changes are designed to improve scheduling accuracy, reduce late cancellations, and streamline ordering.

This project affects over 3,500 prescribers across Alberta, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, proceduralists, and others. The CMIO Prescriber Experience and Training Team is committed to supporting you through these changes. Below is a summary of the changes and various supports that are available for prescribers.

Key Changes for Prescribers (click to expand/collapse)

Prescribers will see updates to:

Case Request Order: New questions and layout changes to better capture patient needs and reduce preventable delays (see the screenshot).
PAC Appointment Request: Now a standalone order, making it easier to schedule PAC assessments independently or as part of a preprocedure set (see the screenshot).
PAC Orders in Preprocedure Sets: All PAC orders (such as patient instructions and lab orders) will now be signed and held. This allows PAC clinicians to release them closer to the surgical date and contact patients with timely instructions for testing and preparation. It also eliminates the use of paper requisitions.
Preprocedure Order Sets: Surgical and non-surgical sets will be revised with new and updated orders. A full list of impacted order sets as well as order groups that may be impacted is below.
- - NOTE!: These changes will break existing personalization, so prescribers will need to re-personalize their order sets.
  - Order sets impacted:

Brachytherapy Preprocedure Adult
Bronchoscopy Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiac Postprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiac Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiac Surgery Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Cardiology Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Postprocedure (Post PCI) Adult
Central Venous Catheter Insertion Pediatric
CVICU ECMO/VAD Preprocedure Adult
DI Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Diabetes Management Preprocedure Pediatric
Early Pregnancy Loss Inpatient
Endocrine Management Preprocedure Pediatric
Endoscopy Preprocedure Adult
GI Preprocedure Pediatric
Islet Cell Transplant Preprocedure Adult
Neurosurgery Preprocedure Adult
Oncology Pediatric Admission
Oncology Procedures Pediatric
Preprocedure Management of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Adult
Solid Organ Abdominopelvic Transplant Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Solid Organ Cardiothoracic Transplant Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
TAVI Preprocedure Adult
Therapeutic Abortion Preprocedure
Anesthesia Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Bowel Preparation Preprocedure Adult
Dental Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Hip Fracture Preprocedure Adult
Ophthalmology Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Preprocedure Adult
Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Adult Preprocedure
Orthopedic Surgery/Trauma Preprocedure Adult
Surgery Preprocedure Adult and Pediatric
Urology Preprocedure Adult
EZ Lung Transplant Evaluation - Outpatient
Heart Transplant Evaluation - Outpatient
LD Transplant Recipient Pre-Admission
Early Pregnancy Loss Outpatient
Pediatric BMT Allogeneic Workup (Smart Set)
Pediatric BMT Autologous Workup (Smart Set)
Pediatric BMT Donor Pre-Collection

Order groups that may be impacted:
- - Admission Order Group: Addition of Admit to Inpatient + Observation Bed Request
  - Preadmission Clinic (PAC) Orders: Fasting Guidelines (PAC Diet Pediatric), Diet and Nutrition Adult, Patient Education, Pregnancy Testing Preprocedure, PAC Referrals (new PAC Appointment Request order)
  - Before Day of Procedure Orders: POCT Glucose, Notify MRHP, Pregnancy Testing Preprocedure
  - Day of Procedure Orders: Diet and Nutrition Pediatric, Diet and Nutrition Adult, POCT Glucose, Notify MRHP, Pregnancy Testing Preprocedure

A tip sheet summarizing changes affecting Cardiology order sets specifically is available:

Tip: PAC Optimization - Changes for Cardiology

Support for Prescribers and MOAs

To help prescribers and medical office assistants (MOAs) navigate these changes, there are various levels of support available. These include virtual drop-in sessions to help prescribers find premade order sets or to re-personalize their own.

Virtual Drop-in and Help Desk

Poster: PAC Optimization Virtual Drop-in (Prescribers and MOAs)
Prescriber Virtual Drop-in Room:
- - October 21–24 & October 27–31, 08:00–16:00
  - Zoom sessions are available at the above dates/times for help identifying updated orders and re-personalizing sets.
  - To access, go to virtualhelp.connect-care.ca using a computer or smartphone, or via the QR code in the poster using a smartphone camera for audio-only help. From a computer, you can show your desktop if required, and, if your computer does not have a microphone, there is an option to have the Zoom session call your smartphone.
MOA Virtual Drop-in Room:
- - October 21–24, & October 27–31, 07:00–15:00
  - MOA-specific Zoom sessions are available at the above dates/times. To access, log on from your computer using the below link:
    - - NEW Zoom link: https://albertahealthservices.zoom.us/j/69179999113?pwd=JT7AIB4zhXObSx5JrgyjBC22hf7Kla.1
      - Meeting ID: 691 7999 9113
      - Passcode: 492295
Help Desk Support:
- - Starting October 21, prescribers and MOAs can submit tickets or call for assistance, including after hours.
  - 1-877-311-4300, press 1 for Connect Care

Premade Preprocedure Order Sets

To help prescribers and MOAs get over the hump of launch week, the Physician Design Lead (PDL), Dr. Alan Sobey, will have premade personalized order sets available in the system by end of day on October 21. These can be accessed and favourited to support immediate workflow needs while re-personalization is underway.

NOTE!: If you choose to use these premade sets, do NOT copy, rename, or make any edits to them until December 1. If changes are needed, Dr. Sobey will make them centrally so updates flow to all users. After December 1, you may rename sets if desired.

To find and favourite the premade order sets:

Go to "My Tools" in the Epic task bar at the top.
Select "User SmartSets".
In the "User SmartSet Selector" pop-up, enter the order set master name (e.g., "sur pre adult") in the "Search" field on the upper left, and search for "Alan Sobey" in the "User versions" field on the upper right (see the screenshot).
Scroll down to your zone and site and find the appropriate order set.
1. - Tip: Drag the column divider between "Record Name" and "Display Name" to the right to get a better view of the order set names.
Click on the star icon to the left of the order set to favourite the set, and close the pop-up.

Updated Training Materials

Refreshed resources are available to guide prescribers through the changes. See the 'Additional Resources' section below.

Preadmission Clinic (PAC) Optimization Project - Information and Supports

Key Changes for Prescribers (click to expand/collapse)

Support for Prescribers and MOAs

Additional Resources (click to expand/collapse)