Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system Directions for use
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iii Contents Introduction ............................................................................................. 1 About these directions for use ...................................................................................................... 1 Intended use ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Safety ................................................................................................
iv Contents Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system Build or edit a saved search ........................................................................................................ 27 Search for unreconciled data ....................................................................................................... 27 Search for a user ............................................................................................................................ 28 Search for tests ................
1 Introduction About these directions for use Topics included cover the primary use of the product. Before using the Connex VM system, you must read and understand the directions for use. For information on using devices that connect to the Connex VM system, consult the directions for use that came with the devices. Intended use Welch Allyn Connex is intended for the collection and review of patient data, and also the communication of the data to information systems.
2 Introduction Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system General warnings WARNING The Connex VM system transfers data from a vital signs device only when a user initiates a transfer. Do not mistake the Welch Allyn Connex VM data management system for a patient monitoring device. WARNING If the Connex VM program or the computer running the program fails, take these steps: a. If a user attempted to capture or import data prior to the failure, verify that the system received the data. b.
3 Getting started Start the Connex VM program 1. 2. Start the Connex VM program • On the Windows desktop, double-click the Welch Allyn Connex Workstation icon • From the Windows Start menu, click Start > All Programs > Welch Allyn > Connex VM. If prompted, log on. The Home page appears. You can now perform tasks according to the permissions that have been set up for you. End your Connex VM session Go to the menu bar and click the desired command. • File > Exit closes the Connex VM program.
4 Getting started Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system About the Home page The Home page is the first page that appears when you open the program. This page enables you to view a list of patients as determined by the selection in the Show list. From the Home page you can also initiate many common tasks. You can view the Home page at any time by clicking the Home tab.
Directions for use Getting started 5 The Show list The Show list enables you to select the information that you want to view. Every system comes with an option to show My locations. Other options in the Show list are determined by the saved searches that have been created. If you want to view information that is not available through your Show list, you can find it by searching.
6 Getting started Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system The My locations option When you select My locations in the Show list, the patients who have been admitted to the selected locations are listed on the Home page. (If a patient in a selected location does not appear in your list, you may find that patient by searching.) You can reveal the location options by clicking the expand symbol ( ). You can hide the location options by clicking the collapse symbol ( ).
Directions for use Getting started 7 The action menus You can bring up an action menu by clicking the symbol next to any item in a list. The Assign/Unassign button The Assign/Unassign button enables you to assign patients to yourself or to other clinicians. The My assignments option When you select My assignments in the Show list, the patients who have been assigned to you are listed on the Home page. If a patient does not appear in your list, you may find that patient by searching.
8 Getting started Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system About assigning/unassigning patients You can assign patients to clinicians, and unassign them as well. The Assign/Unassign window allows for an efficient way to assign and unassign patients to and from clinicians, dependent on user roles and privileges.
Directions for use Getting started 9 Assign patients to clinicians If you are set up with permission to do so, you can assign patients to yourself or to other clinicians. You can also make changes to existing assignments. 1. On the Home page or Search page, show a list that includes the patients whom you want to assign or unassign. (Only the names on that list will be available in the next step.) 2. Click Assign/Unassign. 3. Select a clinician. 4.
10 Getting started Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system
11 Transferring vital signs readings into the system Capture readings at the workstation From the Connex VM workstation, you can start an NIBP measurement and capture readings from a vital signs device. This procedure applies to wired vital signs devices that are compatible with the system. WARNING When you transfer data into the Connex VM system, you associate the data with a patient by selecting a patient name in the system. Verify that you select the correct name.
12 Transferring vital signs readings into the system Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system The Capture Vital Signs window appears. 2. Confirm that the patient name at the top of the window is correct. 3. If you are taking an NIBP measurement, click START. 4. (Optional) Add information or revise the readings. 5. • Select modifiers in the lists. • Type values in the numerics boxes. • Type in the Comments box. • Manually enter or revise information: Click Enter manually.
Directions for use Transferring vital signs readings into the system 13 Import multiple readings for one patient You can import a patient's saved timed-interval readings from a vital signs device into the Connex VM system. This procedure applies to wired vital signs devices that are compatible with the system. WARNING When you transfer data into the Connex VM system, you associate the data with a patient by selecting a patient name in the system. Verify that you select the correct name.
14 Transferring vital signs readings into the system Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system Import multiple patients' saved readings You can import multiple patients' saved readings from one vital signs device into the Connex VM system. This procedure applies to wired vital signs devices that are compatible with the system. WARNING Whenever you enter data into the Connex VM workstation, verify that the data is correct before you save it.
15 Adjusting settings Personalize your Connex VM program settings In the Options window, you can adjust Connex VM program settings to your personal preferences. For each setting, you can use the default setting that was set by your system administrator, or you can adjust the setting. For certain categories of settings, you can specify to which locales and languages your adjustments apply. 1. In the menu bar, click Tools > Options. The Options window appears. 2.
16 Adjusting settings Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system Program settings The Connex VM program settings, which are available from the menu bar under Tools > Options, determine what appears on the screen and in printouts. Unless you are authorized to change settings for multiple users, your changes will be in affect only when you are logged on. This list is not comprehensive. Only those settings that require description are listed; others are self-explanatory.
Directions for use Tools Adjusting settings 17 > Options > Application > Patient Setting Description Default patient action The action that occurs after the user double-clicks a patient name. • View selected patient record • Acquire vitals • Do nothing Show patient location • Yes: Patient locations are displayed at the top of the Capture Vital • No: Patient locations are not displayed. Signs window and at the top of the patient record.
18 Adjusting settings Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system
19 Managing patients Create and admit a new patient In many configurations, patient records are automatically kept in-sync with the hospital information system. In those configurations, it is generally not necessary or even desirable to enter patient information manually. If the configuration at your facility allows it, you can create a patient by following these steps. 1. Select File > Create new patient. 2. Enter patient information. 3. Click Save.
20 Managing patients Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system
21 Managing patient data View or edit a patient record 1. Locate the correct patient name in the list on your Home page. 2. Next to the patient name, click and click View patient record. The Patient record page appears. 3. Next to the patient's name, click and then click Patient details. The Patient Details window appears. 4. (Optional) Click Edit. Add, change, or remove patient information.
22 Managing patient data Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system View or edit patient contact information 1. Open the patient record. 2. Next to the patient's name, click and then click Patient details. The Patient Details window appears. 3. Click Contact information . 4. (Optional) Click Edit. Add, change, or remove contact information. Specify which piece of contact information should be primary or secondary.
Directions for use Managing patient data 6. 23 Click Edit. The Edit window appears. 7. Type or scan the patient ID in the Patient ID box. 8. Click OK. Delete records from the recycle bin All information deleted from the Connex VM system will be in the recycle bin. Information deleted from the recycle bin cannot be restored. 1. Click the Search tab or go to View > Search. 2. Click Recycle Bin. 3. Enter your search criteria. 4. Delete records from recycle bin.
24 Managing patient data Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system
25 Managing saved vital signs View vital signs information 1. Locate the correct patient name in the list on the Home page. 2. Next to the patient name, click and then click View patient record. The Patient record page appears. 3. Specify a date range in the Show list. 4. Select a view. • Summary displays patient data for NIBP, pulse rate, SpO2, hemoglobin and temperature. • Vital Signs - Tabular View shows all vital signs in a numeric table.
26 Managing saved vital signs Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system
27 Searching Search for patients 1. Click the Search tab or go to View > Search. 2. Click Patients. 3. Enter your search criteria. 4. Click Search. Build or edit a saved search The saved search builder enables you to create searches that use more criteria than basic searches provide. You can also control what information (which columns) will appear in the results of saved searches. After you save a search, it is accessible from the Search page.
28 Searching Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system 3. Specify search criteria. 4. Click Search. 5. If the data is invalid, select the top checkbox to delete all information displayed for that data type. If the data is invalid for just one patient, select the checkbox next to that patient and click the Delete button. Search for a user 1. Click the Search tab or go to View > Search. 2. Click Users. 3. Enter your search criteria. 4. Click Search. Search for tests 1.
29 Managing users Create a user account and assign roles 1. In the menu bar, click Administration > New user. The New User window appears. 2. Specify account details. a. Enter ID information. b. (Optional) Select the Account is active check box. If you do not select this box, you can activate the account later. c. (Optional) Select the Change the password at next logon check box. The password is set, and the user can change it at the next logon. d.
30 Managing users Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system 2. Click Users. 3. Enter your search criteria. 4. Click Search. A list appears. 5. Next to the user ID, click and select Edit user details. The Modify User window appears. 6. Click Edit. 7. Clear or select the Account is active check box. 8. Click Save. Delete a user account 1. Click the Search tab or go to View > Search. 2. Click Users. 3. Enter your search criteria. 4. Click Search. A list appears. 5.
31 Troubleshooting Why isn't the workstation communicating with the server? Possible cause Corrective action When I open the Connex VM program, I get an error message. Contact your network administrator or IT resource. The wireless network connection has been lost. Adjust the computer's position to a location where there is a known network connection. The system will attempt to reconnect until it is successful. The network is down; a path to the server cannot be found.
32 Troubleshooting Welch Allyn Connex® VM data management system Why can't I progress to the next step after scanning the bar code? Possible cause Corrective action The cursor is not blinking in the Scan or type patient ID box on the Home page. Click inside the Scan or type patient ID box on the Home page. The wristband is improperly printed or damaged. Scan another patient's wristband. If it scans successfully, have a new wristband issued for your patient. The bar code scanner is not working.
Directions for use Troubleshooting 33 Why aren't vital signs readings imported from a connected device? Possible cause Corrective action An error has occurred on the device. Retake the measurement. The device is powered down. Power the device up. The Connex VM system does not recognize the device. In the bottom right corner of the Connex VM window, right-click the phrase No device connected, and then click Refresh devices. The message changes to Device connected.
