I've been busy...

I got home from visiting Little Logan and his parents just in time to get ready for the implementation phase of the new Electronic Medical Record ( the "EMR") at our office.

This EMR was something we'd been investigating and working on since last fall. And we (the good doctor and I) were excited to get it installed and "Go Live." Go Live is tech talk for get the computers up and runing and see how amazing and fun our work suddenly becomes.   We had a pretty good attitude about the whole process. And the representatives from WOLF assured the doctor and I that we were going to LOVE the new system. 

 Things went surprisingly well the very first day. The guys arrived on time and hooked things up. The new computers and all the new printers and scanners and fax machine were beautiful and I could hardly wait to get to work on all the shiny new equipment. It was a great day at the office! And then I remembered, we had no patients scheduled so we could get used to the new electronics. Of course, the day would go smoothly if there were no actual patients to deal with!! Silly me.

The next day (May 29, 2012) was a Tuesday and the doctor started to see patients. I was back to answering phones, booking appointments, and managing the families that the doctor takes care of. And that's when the wheels fell off the wagon!

Needless to say, NOTHING WORKED and I spent more time on the help line than I did on the front lines and by the end of that week, I was ready to pack it in. 

We'd actually been sent a used scanner/copier full of phone numbers and addresses from some oil company in Calgary. Definitely not in line with our extensive PIA....

Our data transfer from our old system to WOLF was painfully incomplete. WOLF would not recognize any rural municipalities in Alberta so my patients from Coalhurst, Milk River, Diamond City, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek etc. etc. etc. simply did not exist. Who knew that the only viable places to live in western Canada were Vancouver and Hanna?!? 

The people setting up our system entered the wrong billing codes for psychiatry into the system so everything I submitted for billing had the potential of being rejected. And that didn't even really matter because they flat out forgot to connect our billing system to Alberta Health Care!!!  

I could go on but it's not worth the painful memories. The long and the short of it is that WOLF failed spectacularly and FIVE WEEKS LATER when we still hadn't been paid and the tech guys were not even close to getting to the bottom of the whole mess, I had a real life epiphany!

The point of this post is to illustrate just how similar highly specialized surgeons and computer tech geeks can be in real life applications.

If you recall, my experience with the "team" of pediatric surgeons at Legacy Emmanuel Children's Hospital was so frustratingly comical I was forced to post the foolishness. Well folks, here we go again....

When a third party observer finally discovered what the problem was with our brand spanking new, top of the line EMR, and alerted the talking heads at WOLF head quarters, the tech guy on the other end of the phone had the audacity to say to me:

 "Now aren't you glad I discovered this problem early enough 

in the process to clear it right up and get you on your way?" 

Sorry Dude - six weeks with no pay checks is not EARLY and don't you dare try to tell me YOU figured this out! 

That's what I thought. 

Thankfully, I was speaking with him on the phone so he couldn't see me roll my eyes and tear at my hair as I tried to keep my head from exploding!

What I said was, "thanks for the help..."

Things are going a little smoother at the office. The new EMR is becoming a little more user friendly as I teach it what it needs to know. 

 Now I only have to worry about the AHC computers that crashed last week as a result of the "SHAW incident." But that's another story...and tomorrow is Monday and I'm looking forward to a better week.

adventures in transportation

I was visiting in Portland, OR again this past week.

I am always fascinated with what I see when I'm there.

I am especially impressed with the way people travel.

It's all about recycling, cycling and 

being organic and healthy and energy efficient.

When I'm in Portland, my inner "tree hugger" feels right at home.

I feel like I'm right where I should be.

BUT Alberta is my home and there is no denying that there is definitely a pattern to transportation choices in Alberta. I was waiting curbside at YYC when I realized that 

"home is where the trucks are".

Every ride that pulled up was big and powerful.

Spacious and luxurious.

And I am confident most of the vehicles could drive up the side of a high rise.

Yup there's something about a powerful truck. I haven't figured out just what exactly but I know I'm home when I see pick ups for miles and miles. And there's comfort in being home.

...and in this corner...

3700 kilometers from Portland, OR Logan's Aunt Angela

was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her own little miracle.

Kara Rae arrived on February 29, 2012! 

Just like that, there were 2 

beautiful babies in the family.

Kara turned out to be a healthy,

happy baby. Just what we ordered.

In every way, she could not have been more perfect.

But Kara also has a super power.

 She grows like she's been fertilized

...with "miracle grow"!

...and in this corner...

weighing in at twice 

her birth weight...

 I'm excited to introduce Kara to Logan and his duck. Can't wait.

You've Come a Long Way Baby!

When Logan arrived in late November, it was difficult to 

understand just how small he really was.

By keeping the duck close by, it was easier 

to visualize his progress.

He grew slowly but surely and 

as he grew the duck seemed to shrink.

It is so comforting to see that duck

getting smaller and smaller.

...and Logan seems quite pleased

with the situation...

"You've come a long way Baby!!!"

adventures in chip making

A couple months ago Sara was perusing a Victorian Epicure catalogue that was hanging around one of the dental offices where she was temping. She called me that day and asked excitedly, "Don't you know someone who sells Epicure? and couldn't you order me one of these? I've gotta have a chipster!!"

I looked it up online and read some reviews and decided we both NEEDED a chipster. So I called my lady and ordered two! I thought it had to be a fantastic product because it was on back order and so I settled in to wait for the chipster to arrive.

I picked it up tonight (finally!) and drove to the store to get a sweet potato to try out my new machine. I LOVE sweet potato fries and this chipster seemed like a great, healthy way to indulge.

It even came with a recipe and seasoning suggestions.

As I was cooking up batch after batch I couldn't quite pinpoint exactly what wasn't quite right. With most recipes and new techniques I've got to try a couple of different things before I get it just the way I like it.

Jordan and his wife happened by in the middle of my "chipstering" and so they were the perfect guinea pigs to try out the chips.

After the second batch I suggested, "Maybe we need to try a different seasoning."

After that batch I said, "Maybe I need to try a different time in the microwave."

Then,"Maybe I need to try a thicker slice."

Finally Jordan looked at me solemnly and said, "Maybe you need to try..... the DEEP FRYER."

YUP! That's exactly what my healthy chips were missing. So I pulled out the deep fryer and we chowed down on the homemade sweet potato chips. At least they're gluten free.

UPS- the name in excess packaging

When Angela got word that her sister Diana has been struggling with a fussy baby, she was more than sympathetic! Truth is, Angela has been struggling with a fussy baby, as well. It's been a case of trans-continental sleeplessness and colic.

However, Angela is a mathematician so problem solving is her strength. She found some relief in a book that explains how to calm a fussy baby. And her first instinct was to share her new found knowledge with her sleep deprived sister (and brother-in-law).

.

Angela is also sold on "swaddling" and thought that it couldn't hurt to send her sister a swaddle blanket along with the book. She got right to work and placed an order on amazon.com, sending Diana the book and the swaddle and for good measure she ordered a package of chocolate. "Chocolate always makes me feel better when my baby is fussing," she explained matter-of-factly over the phone the other night.

She was quite disappointed to learn that even though she had paid for expedited delivery last Saturday, the parcel was not due to arrive until this Saturday. (according to the tracking link she checked yesterday, Tuesday) "I can't believe it takes a whole week to send something priority," she lamented

But a UPS parcel arrived TODAY (Wednesday). And Diana was excited for the surprise. It was delivered by not one, but TWO UPS delivery men and the box was biG so for sure it was just what we'd all been waiting for.

Totally faked out! The "parcel" contained the tiny bag of chocolate with the other items "to follow". I guess someone forgot to mention the theory of excess packaging to the guys at amazon and UPS. They'll need a truck to deliver the book and blanket. That's probably why it's not coming until Saturday! haha