In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ocean Library has been updated with a series of patient screening tools that can be used before or during a patient visit. We are reviewing and updating these forms on a regular basis as the situation evolves and recommended guidelines change. The following forms can be found in the core library available to all Ocean users:
Ocean COVID-19 Screening Tools
- COVID-19 Triaging Form
- This form is based on the Toronto Region COVID-19 triage document. It can be used with any Ocean solution or independent of an EMR integration.
- COVID-19 Patient Screening Tool
- This tool is built for kiosks and tablets for screening at the point of care.
- COVID-19 Email Screening Tool
- This tool is built to accompany patient messages and appointment reminders. It will direct patients to cancel their appointments if they fail the screen.
- COVID-19 eReferral form
- This tool is for assessment centres accepting eReferrals. It is intended to collect more information upfront like symptom duration, severity, and other relevant information when a patient is suspected to have COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Self-Symptom Checker
- A free tool patients can use to self-assess their symptoms. It can be used independent of an EMR integration and linked on your clinic website.
- Virtual Care Consent Form
- This form can be sent through messages and reminders, displayed on tablets and kiosks, or accessed from your website. If consent is granted, it generates a custom vital “@VirtualCareConsent: Granted”
How to Use the COVID-19 Screening Tools
Screening through Appointment Reminders
Screening on a Kiosk or Tablet
Screening through Online Booking
Screening during the Referral Process
Allow patients to Self-Screen Online
Screening through Appointment Reminders
Screening patients before appointments with Ocean Reminders
- Create a Messages template and attach the COVID-19 Coronavirus Email Screen form.
- Go to “Ocean Reminders” within the Admin tab and click “New Reminder Rule”.
- Select “Javascript” for the rule type and write “true” as the condition.
- Set an appropriate schedule, assign the correct template, and save your settings.
Screening on a Kiosk or Tablet
Screening patients at check-in on an Ocean Kiosk or Tablet
- Go to the “Rules” tab in your kiosk settings and click “Create Rule”.
- Search for and choose the COVID-19 Coronavirus Kiosk Screen.
- In the trigger field, type “true” if you want the form to appear every time.
If some of your patients prefer checking-in with the receptionist, the screening form can be added to Patient Tablets using the same instructions to capture more patients.
Screening through Online Booking
Screening patients before the appointment through Online Booking
Note: It is recommended that Online Booking users contact us for assistance when updating their online booking flow.
- Login to the “Ocean Portal” > “eForms Tab” to locate the COVID-19 Online Booking – Family Medicine form. Select this eForm and click the Import button to download the form to your site.
- From your forms list, select the COVID screen and click on “Edit“.
- Edit each form and include the appointment types from your original booking form. Ensure the duration of the appointment is correctly set in the point value field.
- Navigate to “Admin” > “Online Booking“. Click “Configure for each of your links and click the folder icon for the “Booking form” to replace it with your new COVID screening form.
Screening during the Referral Process
Screening patients before an eReferral is sent
Note: If you are a healthcare provider receiving eReferrals under the SCA program, please contact your change specialist if you need assistance making this change. If you are an assessment centre, contact us directly at info@cognisantmd.com.
Healthcare providers using Ocean eReferrals can screen for COVID-19 within their referral form.
- Login to the “Ocean Portal” > “eForms Tab” and locate your referral form. Click on “Edit”.
- Select “Add Item” and create a Y/N question labelled “Important: COVID-19 Screening.” The question should read “If you patient is symptomatic, have you screened for COVID-19?”
- Create two labels that appear based on the selection from the previous question:
- If primary care provider selects No:
If your patient is SYMPTOMATIC please screen prior to sending. Our facilities are not equipped to provide the care they may need.“ - If the primary care provider selects Yes:
If your patient is SYMPTOMATIC and has TESTED POSITIVE for COVID-19, please DO NOT send your patient for examinations. Our facilities are not equipped to provide the care they may need.
- If primary care provider selects No:
Allow patients to Self-Screen Online
Allow patients to self-screen
Our COVID-19 Self Symptom Checker allows patients to take the initiative and self-screen before they see their healthcare provider. When placed on your website, patients can check their symptoms and receive a summary of the results. If the patient is a potential positive screen, they will be directed to contact Canada’s help line immediately for next steps.
To add the form to your clinic website, add a hyperlink to the URL below:
https://ocean.tips/covid-19
About Ocean’s COVID-19 Screening Tools
The criteria for COVID-19 screening is changing rapidly. The Ocean team is working closely with provincial stakeholders and clinical leaders to develop and maintain up-to-date resources and ensure they are in accordance with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s guidelines. As part of this effort, we are reviewing these forms daily.
Ocean currently integrates with Canada’s leading EMRs including TELUS Health PS Suite, Med Access, QHR Accuro EMR, and OSCAR. In addition to COVID-19, the platform can also be used as part of an overall automated infection control protocol like the one put in place by Women’s College Hospital. For more information on how to implement these tools into your practice, please contact info@cognisantmd.com.
For more information about the COVID-19 outbreak, please see the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) outbreak update.