Informatics Training Provided at UCSF Medical Center

All RNs new to the medical center attend a UCare training class that includes a multitude of technological applications. This class introduces the electronic systems used by clinicians, including an overview of

1. Ucare, is an electronic clinical system that creates an electronic lifetime patient record by documenting aspects of patient care including admissions, assessments, discharges, transcriptions, and diagnostic information. UCare documentation is live on all medical surgical units in the medical center, but results are viewable from anywhere at the Medical Center.
2. Outlook / Email, is a Windows based email system available to users both through the UCSF intranet and through any computer with internet access.
3. UCareLinks is an internal web page designed to provide clinicians with a “one stop shopping” for electronic information about UCSF as well as access to medical information nationally and internationally. Within UCare links, users find a wealth of data, including:
   • Up-to-Date.com, an electronic service allowing access to the latest medical information, including features such as what’s new in medical research and care, search of recent literature, references, and related topics.
   • UCSF-SFGH Formulary (Lexicon)
   • Micromedex, a comprehensive drug information resource.
   • HBS, the UCSF Medical Center Human Resource and Payroll system.
   • Nursing Manuals, contains the nursing division directories, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.
   • Lab Manual, contains general lab information (testing information, Transfusion Guidelines, Microbiology instructions, etc.), lab updates and lab tips, along with detailed information about lab tests performed at UCSF.
   • Online Training (CADE): The UCSF Medical Center learning management system, where information for classroom training, register for classes, and web based module courses are available.
   • PCS, is an acuity tool used by RN’s to track patient daily acuities and a communication tool between charge RNs and Staffing to determine appropriate staffing needs.
   • Daily Diet Requisition (DDR), is a communication tool between the RNs and the nutrition department to update appropriately ordered meals.
   • Pager-Box, MyAirmail.com, ArchWireless, are various types of paging and text messaging applications.
4. UCare DocImage is an application that allows users to view scanned documents that are a part of the patient’s permanent electronic and paper medical record. Current scanned documents include: Patient consent for treatment, advanced directives, Pre-operative, PACU and Anesthesia records.

Web based and Classroom Training

UCSF Medical Center employees and students have a variety of learning opportunities. Users can log on to CADE, the UCSF Medical Center learning management system, and take online courses on any computer with internet access. Courses available include:

1. Ucare: There are several courses offered for RN’s, Introduction to UCare and UCare Results, which provide an overview of the system and how to document patient assessment and care given, and provides views of all diagnostic and treatment data. A third course, UCare Flowsheet Charting Basics, which provides an interactive introduction to Flowsheet Charting, Entering Patient Data, Modifying Patient Data and Entering a Summary Note. A fourth course, UCare for Providers, reviews the additional functionality provided to Advanced Practice Nurses (CNS, NP, etc.) in UCare.
2. HBS: is UCSF Medical Center’s electronic payroll system.

Classroom training

Nurses working on a UCare unit that documents patient care participate in extensive classroom training. Classes are provided in two dedicated classrooms, with personal computers for each student, that are set-up to a training environment students can practice entering and viewing data. Students attend a 4-8 hour class depending on their hired area of expertise. The UCare classrooms are located on the main hospital campus in U-80. Each classroom provides a simulation, identical to the actual environment seen in the clinical setting. Trainers and peer proctors assist in each class making sure each new user receives individualized attention. New users practice logging into the system and practice entering scenario data prior to working on the nursing floors.

In addition to the UCare Link tools, all acute care and critical care clinicians receive training on basic navigation of the system, the various types of data entry methods and how to view charted data and electronic notes.