October/November 2006 (Vol. XIV, No. 1)
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RSS feeds, census data mining featured at Library Showcase
The Library will offer several free presentations Nov. 14-16 in the South Campus (Main) Library as part of the Library Showcase, a semi-annual educational series featuring information resources and technology.
Presentations will spotlight five areas:
- Locating national and local census data (e.g., population estimates and projections).
- Using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds to retrieve and organize information online.
- Improving the security of personal computers.
- Finding grant opportunities through COS (Community of Science).
- Identifying and using selected clinical, scientific, general, and fun Internet sites.
One of UT Southwestern's bioinformation luminaries Dr. Harold "Skip" Garner of UT Southwestern's McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development will lead a session on the eTBLAST search engine, which explores an alternative method of searching PubMed. EndNote and Web publishing classes also will be offered.
The Showcase will be from approximately 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Hands-on sessions will be presented in the South Campus Library's informatics classroom (Room E2.310A) on the main floor. Other presentations will be in the Library administration conference room (Room E3.314E) on the middle floor. All sessions are free.
To register for classes, go to the Library's class registration page at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/libraryclasses and sign up. A detailed class schedule is also available at http://www4.utsouthwestern.edu/library/about/showcaseFall06.cfm.
If you have any questions or experience any problems, please e-mail LibraryEduc@UTSouthwestern.edu or call 214-648-2001.
SpeechSite improvements
After going live earlier this year, we continue to make improvements to the SpeechSite so that callers have a better experience when calling the system. Some examples of improvements include:
- Professional recording of almost all names. If an error is discovered, please call 214-648-1010.
- Increased speed of the pager number read-back. Work is proceeding on making it even faster.
- Increased speed of all system prompts. Callers no longer have to wait as long listening to options.
Our goal is to allow the caller to reach their desired party in the quickest, easiest and most efficient way possible. More improvements are coming soon!
Secrets you didn't know about "Tom"
Even though we try hard to make the SpeechSite recognize everything you ask for, there are times when you end up down a path you just don't want to be on. Well, don't hang up; just tell "Tom" what you need.
For example, at any point in the conversation (prior to being transferred to an operator) you can say, "Main Menu." This will take you back to the beginning of a call. If you just want to go back to the previous menu say, "Previous Menu."
It's similar to how you navigate through a Web page by clicking on "home" or the "back" button. Give it a try. It might make life a little easier.
And remember, if "Tom" can't find a listing you know should be there, call 214-648-1010 and leave a message so we know to add it. We'll also fix mispronounced names and departments, too. Just let us know!
Do you need your own SpeechSite?
It's much easier for callers to just say what they want rather than to remember what button to press. You can have a "front-end" put on your department's main number that gives the caller just that opportunity.
We can develop a menu structure for your department that allows the caller to go right to the area they need to speak with without having to press a number. Departments such as account services and health information management have already done this.
If you think this could benefit your department call John Ley& just dial zero and say, "John Ley."
New "clinical workstations" give access to medical records
The South Campus (Main) Library has two new "clinical workstations" that offer access to the electronic medical record (EMR) system at UT Southwestern. The workstations are in two private enclosures, each with a color printer and phone.
Use of these workstations is limited to individuals who have a UT Southwestern ID badge with a "clinical image" or a UT Southwestern hospital ID, or to medical students in their second, third or fourth years. Staff in other categories who feel they need access should contact the Library's information desk at 214-648-2001.
Keys to these rooms are can be checked out from the information desk for two hours by showing a qualifying ID. Funding for the installation of these clinical workstations and their enclosures was provided by the Florence Foundation.
Train at your own pace, 24/7
Need immediate training for yourself or for a new employee? Can't wait for the next class? Not enough hours in the work day to learn something new? Need training when it's convenient for you, not the trainer?
You can use the e-learning sessions provided by Information Resources to train yourself any time day or night. If you have a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer, you can use the e-learning sessions posted on the Web at http://UTSouthwestern.edu/elearning at your convenience. Because they're free and always available, you can take any session as many times as you wish.
The session topics range from GroupWise to changing your own toner cartridge. The delivery method is typically a PowerPoint presentation in .pdf format to read, but some sessions offer a "Watch it" format if you enjoy learning from demos.
Recently created e-learning sessions include:
- Cisco VPN and Wireless Access teaches you how to set up your laptop to use the wireless access points available on most of the campus.
- Cisco VPN and Remote Access teaches you how to set up your remote computer to access campus systems and campus network services from home or on the road.
- Changing Windows Workstation UTUser teaches you how to comply with campus security policies by editing your UTUser account and password appropriately.
- GSO Basics teaches you how to order supplies from the general stores/clinical supply division using the GSO form on the OAS.
- GCO Basics teaches you how to order gas cylinders from the gas cylinder control division using the GCO form on the OAS.
Check out these or one of the many other e-learning sessions at http://utsouthwestern.edu/elearning.
Note: You will need to use a remote access method (perhaps VPN Remote Access) if you wish to use the e-learning sessions from home. Remote access is not necessary, however, to use the e-learning sessions if you are on campus or in University Hospital, St. Paul Building, or University Hospital, Zale Lipshy Building.
TexShare offers borrowing privileges, databases
TexShare is a cooperative program designed to improve library service to Texans. It offers several specialized services, including many databases and a special borrowing program for library users.
TexShare databases
More than 80 databases and more than 90 electronic books are now available through the Library's online collection of Web-based resources, courtesy of the statewide TexShare Database Program. Following is a selected list of the most recent additions, arranged by subject:
- Science, Technology and Medicine
- Consumer Health Complete (EBSCO)
- MedicLatina (EBSCO)
- Science & Technology Collection (EBSCO)
- Business
- Business Searching Interface (EBSCO)
- Business Source Complete (EBSCO)
- Internet & Personal Computing Abstracts (EBSCO)
- Legal Collection (EBSCO)
- News and Current Events
- eLibrary Curriculum Edition (ProQuest)
- Texas Reference Center (EBSCO)
To view a list of all the new databases, type "texshare" in the search box on the Library's Web site. Then click the "More Web Resources" link to view the complete list; the initial search results are limited to the first 10 resources.
For more information about TexShare databases, please contact Jon Crossno, resource development librarian, at jon.crossno@utsouthwestern.edu.
TexShare cards
This service of TexShare permits authorized Library users in good standing to directly borrow materials from other participating public and academic libraries across Texas. Faculty, staff, students, residents and fellows of UT Southwestern are eligible for a TexShare card.
For more information or to obtain a TexShare card, please contact the Library's information desk at 214-648-2001.
Epic updates
The Epic Spring 2006 upgrade was recently implemented. The upgrade enhanced the look and function of several of the Epic applications that we use. For more information on the upgrade, access the e-learning modules located on the IR Web site.
Epic's operating room (OR) management application, "OpTime," has been implemented in University Hospital, St. Paul Building, and University Hospital, Zale Lipshy Building. The Epic OpTime system provides several different options to assist with OR management, including:
- Scheduling of surgical cases.
- Patient tracking through the surgical process.
- Electronic greaseboards.
- Clinical documentation for the surgical process.
- Processing of inventory and OR time for charges and billing.
The application has been operational at both sites since September. Below are some of the comments that have come from OR staff who have attended training:
- "I like the new and exciting technology."
- "Everything will be most helpful in Intra-Op and Scheduling."
- "[I like the] ease with which charting may be done."
The pre-surgical testing areas at both sites will also be using the Epic Scheduling and EpicCare Clinical Documentation systems to schedule pre-surgical visits and to document patient assessment information.
My Chart and Document Imaging curricula are being added to the following Epic classes:
- EpicCare Nurse training.
- Epic Scheduling training.
This change went into effect Sept. 5. The EpicCare Nurse training will expand from two sessions to three sessions in order to accommodate the additional content. There will be no change for Epic Scheduling at this time.
Just a few reminders about registering for Epic training:
- All registration must be submitted through OAS.
- An inter-institutional access request (IAR) must be completed and submitted prior to registration.
- If you request a class that is full, your registration will be moved to the next available class.
- Notify Epic Training of any cancellations at least 48 hours in advance of the class to avoid no-show fees.
Effective since Sept. 1, 2006, anyone who does not attend an Epic training class for which they registered will be charged a fee. Fees are $50 for classes four hours or less and $100 for full-day classes. Please remember to contact Epic Training to cancel your class if you are unable to attend.
Ask us at the information desk!
Staff members at the Library's information desks (in both the South and North Campus locations) are eager to answer your questions and assist you in using Library resources. They can help you:
- Navigate the Library's new Web site to find what you need.
- Access electronic and print journals and books.
- Recommend databases that can meet your information needs.
- Advise on how to get journal articles or books not owned by the Library.
- Check out books, laptop computers and selected other resources.
- Request a literature search or a consultation with a librarian.
Also, the Library's home page provides a wealth of information about Library resources, services and policies.
We look forward to serving you at either information desk. The respective phone numbers are 214-648-2001 (South Campus) or 214-645-6191 (North Campus).
Password review
Excellent password management is a vital part of information security at UT Southwestern. To stay on top of the password situation, please make sure that you are practicing the following password guidelines:
- Minimum of seven characters in length, of which at least one must be numeric and at least one alphabetic (upper or lower case).
- Should not be words that are found in a dictionary.
- Should not be the same as the user ID.
- Should not be easily associated with the user (such as family or pet names).
- Should not be generic in nature (such as "password").
For those using Ctrl-Alt-Del on Windows workstations to reset passwords:
- Current Novell Client for Windows software is required. (4.91 SP2, aka 4.91.20051209)
- Effective Sept. 20, 2006, those using old Novell Client versions will get the following error when they try to use Ctrl-Alt-Del to reset their password:
"LOGIN-LGNWNT32.DLL-710: The password could not be changed. Error ffffe869."
Security is a high priority and of the utmost importance. Go to the IR home page at http://UTSouthwestern.edu/ir and click on "Information Security" in the menu bar at the top of the page to access all campus security policies, including the Information Security Password Management Policy (#200-07) at http://inside.utsouthwestern.edu/irweb/infosec/policies/pol_200_07.pdf.
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