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. These 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.

The Alerts tab also now alerts clinicians to unread messages from patients. To learn more about messaging in Pathways, you can read this article.

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

How to Use the Alerts Tab

Follow these steps to navigate and manage alerts and messages 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) as well as unread messages (Messages).
   
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. The preview panel will show the patient's alerts, as well as if they have sent any unread messages.
   
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.
   • Choose Mark as resolved or Mark as dismissed to remove it from all clinicians’ views.
     
     

Tip: 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.

8. For viewing and responding to unread messages:

• In the preview panel, select either the Messages button next to the patient's birthdate or the Check unread messages link below the alert summary.
• You will land on the Messages view, where each pathway with unread messages is marked with an indicator badge.
• Select a pathway to view the full message thread and respond.

Note: Messages are automatically marked as read when you open the thread. There is no manual "mark as read" option.

Best Practices for Managing Alerts and Messages

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.

Managing Messages

• Reviewing unread messages promptly helps maintain strong patient engagement.
• All clinicians with access to Pathways for a patient can view and respond to messages.
• Messages are encrypted, HIPAA-compliant, and recorded in the Patient Activity Report.

Remember that resolving or dismissing an alert removes it from all clinicians' views, and opening a message marks it as read, so it is recommended to take actions thoughtfully and document as needed.