How do I use the Alerts tab in Pathways?

The Alerts tab in Pathways allows clinicians and care coordinators to monitor and manage patient alerts related to topics like Pain, Falls, Engagement, and Function. Alerts are categorized as Low, High, or Critical based on severity and are triggered by patient responses in Pathways questionnaires. Alerts remain in the system until they are resolved or dismissed.

To learn more about alerts, you can read this article.

How to Use the Alerts Tab

Follow these steps to navigate and manage alerts in the Alerts tab:

1. Log into Pathways.
2. On the Pathways home page, you’ll see four tabs: Alerts, Patients, Pathways, and Dashboard. To open the Alerts tab, select Alerts.
   
3. View alert summaries at the top of the page, categorized by severity (Critical, High, Low).
   
4. Use the search bar to find a specific patient or apply filters using the filter icon.
   
5. Select a patient’s name to view their individual alerts.
   
6. Select the patient record for full alert details, patient history, and necessary follow-up actions (such as unpausing the pathway if paused due to alert).
   
7. Manage the alert:
   • Select the three-dot menu next to an alert.
   • Select Mark as resolved or Mark as dismissed to remove from all clinicians’ views.
     
     

Note: Opening the patient record before resolving or dismissing an alert ensures you have all relevant information and can take necessary actions, such as unpausing a Pathway or logging RTM time/actions.

Best Practices for Managing Alerts

Reviewing Patient Records Before Taking Action

Although users can resolve or dismiss alerts directly from the Alerts tab, it is recommended to first review the patient record for additional context as well as take any necessary additional steps (like unpausing a paused pathway).

Understanding Resolve vs. Dismiss

Alerts have two options for interaction: resolving and dismissing. Both options will remove the alert from the view of all clinicians, but they have different ideal use cases and meaning.

• Resolve: The issue required action and has been addressed (e.g., clinician contacted the patient).
• Dismiss: No action was necessary, but the alert was acknowledged (e.g., clinician reviewed and determined no follow-up was needed).

Engagement alerts will repopulate if there is no patient activity for three days. However, all other alerts will dismiss or resolve permanently until a new one is generated.

Remember that resolving or dismissing an alert removes it from all clinicians' views, so only take these actions when appropriate.