PatientConnect Tablet & Mobile Release Notes

For PatientConnect, the following are our minimum software versions:

iOS: PCM (PC 3.0.0+)  

  • Target iOS 14 (2020 Release, but compatible with devices back to 2015)
    • Will also support higher versions recently released (iOS 15 and 16, though these have not been tested by QA)
  • Devices compatible with iOS 14

Android: PCM (PC 3.0.0+)  

  • Minimum SDK is 26 - Android Version 8 (Oreo)
  • Maximum SDK is 33 - Android 13 (latest tested by QA)

 PCMT

  • Our tablets that have been approved for release include S5E (Android 9, 10, 11), A7 LITE (Android 11)
  • Android 13
    • A7 LITE has received the Android 13 update.

September 25, 2024 - Mobile

With the latest updates to PatientConnect Mobileyour patients gain:

  • Enhanced Enrollment. Streamlined PatientConnect Mobile enrollment in ClinicianConnect 1.161, with new functionalities for Patient Profile.
  • Improved Authentication. Send authentication links via text or email, now with an expanded 7-day expiration period.
  • Simplified Patient Flow. Step-by-step guidance for downloading and logging into the PatientConnect Mobile app.

Continue reading for instructions on how to use the new features and improvements in this latest version of PatientConnect Mobile!

How to initiate EasyEnroll in ClinicianConnect

1. Log in to your ClinicianConnect account.

2. Go to the patient’s profile screen.

3. Click "Generate Login Codes" under PatientConnect Mobile.

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4. Enter phone number for text, and/or email address for email, and press send.cc 1

NOTE: You can always refer here to view or copy the generated login codes.

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The Patient EasyEnroll Process

1. Once you receive a message from your clinician, simply click the provided link to begin your journey.

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2. You'll be seamlessly directed to the PatientConnect Mobile app page on the App Store or Google Play. From there, you can easily download PCM with just a tap. 

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3. Return to your message and give the link another click.

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4. The PCM app will seamlessly launch and automatically log you in. Don’t forget to grant Bluetooth and Notification permissions to ensure optimal performance.

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5. Complete your consent form to unlock your personalized care plan!

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September 16, 2024 - Samsung A9+, A7, and S5E Tablets, and Mobile

With the latest updates to PatientConnectyour patients gain:

  • Submit Bluetooth Metrics During Calls. Patients can now submit Bluetooth metrics during an ongoing video or voice call, ensuring seamless data sharing.
  • Auto End Zoom Calls. No more pressing the “Leave” button on the tablet screen! Zoom calls will now automatically end for patients, making it easier and more natural for them to conclude their meetings.
  • Minimize Active Calls. Need to perform other actions during a call? Patients can now minimize an active call to submit Bluetooth metrics, manually submit readings, troubleshoot with a clinician or support team, or have a clinician walk them through care plan items. 
  •  Zoom Call Status Updates. Patients will stay informed about the status of their initiated Zoom calls with new indicators when waiting for clinician to join, a clinician didn’t answer, or a clinician declined.
  • Bug fixes. We zapped a bunch of them!

Continue reading to learn more about the new features and improvements in this latest version of PatientConnect!

Zoom Call Status Messages and Auto Call Ending

We’ve introduced new features to simplify video calls for patients. When patients are waiting for their clinician or caregiver to join a video call, a “waiting” message will now be displayed, making it easy for patients to understand the status of the call. Additionally, we’ve added new flows for missed and declined calls, which were previously unhandled. If a clinician does not respond within 90 seconds, the patient will see a “missed call” notification, and the call will automatically end after 8 seconds. Patients can also press “OK” to exit the call, and the notification will appear even if the call window is minimized. Similarly, if a clinician declines a call, the patient will see a “call declined” notification, and the call will auto end after 8 seconds, with the option to press “OK” to exit. Finally, patients will no longer have to press "Leave" to exit a call, but will be automatically exited when all other participants have left. These enhancements ensure that patients are always informed about the status of their video calls, providing a smoother and more transparent experience.PC Zoom Enhancement

New call status messages keep the patient informed and able to take action.

Submit Bluetooth Readings and Minimize Active Calls

With the latest update in PatientConnect 3.4.0, the live experience has been enhanced to allow for Bluetooth metric submission during an active call, and the ability to minimize or maximize the call window. Previously, Bluetooth metrics could not be transmitted during an ongoing Zoom call, and interacting with a care plan was not possible. Now, patients can seamlessly minimize or maximize any active video or audio call, enabling them to view and utilize their care plan as needed. This improvement ensures they can stay connected with their healthcare provider while simultaneously managing their health data and care plan without any interruptions or be used for live troubleshooting with the support team.

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voice-call-1Tap the corner icon to minimize the active call and access the PatientConnect screen.

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voice-call-minimzed-1Tap in audio or press an icon in video to restore the call screen to its maximum size.

 

June 4, 2024 - Samsung A7 Tablets

June 6, 2024 - Samsung S5E Tablets

June 17, 2024 - Mobile

With the latest updates to PatientConnectyour patients gain:

  • Improved reliability. Bluetooth connectivity, peripheral connections, care plans and audio have all been enhanced.
  • Access to tabular trends. Patients can now look back over their last 10 submitted readings.
  • New Tabular Card. This user interface improvements makes assessing, pairing, measuring, and viewing data from their connected devices even easier for patients.
  • Bug fixes. We zapped a bunch of them!

Continue reading to learn more about the new features and improvements in this latest version of PatientConnect!

Bluetooth Wellness

Reliable Bluetooth connectivity is crucial for the measurement devices that patients use, as it ensures the seamless transmission of vital health data to clinicians. Here are three significant improvements in the PatientConnect 3.3.0 release:

  • Managed Device Connection: HRS has introduced advanced logic to manage connections more effectively, ensuring that multiple devices can transmit data concurrently without interference, leading to a higher rate of successful data transmission.
  • Enhanced Listening: The PatientConnect app now has improved persistence in listening for device readings to ensure the app is always awaiting the next reading from any connected device.
  • Fix for Blank Readings: This fix resolves the intermittent issue where readings failed to display in the auto-submission screen. Now, you can expect a more reliable and seamless transition with your captured readings promptly populating.

Guided Disconnection Routine

The PatientConnect 3.3.0 release introduces an enhanced disconnection routine for all devices, with a special update for Nonin devices featuring a new UI and user flow.

A visible checkmark on the device screen now indicates successful reading capture, signaling users to remove the device. Follow-up readings are simplified, mirroring the initial reading steps. Notably, Nonin devices will no longer transmit readings every 45 seconds if left on the finger after the first reading; users are required to remove the device to initiate subsequent readings. This change eliminates the previous waiting period, streamlining the process for more efficient patient monitoring. Updated in-app instructions reflect these improvements.

Nonin Checkmark - Edited

A visible checkmark on the device screen now indicates successful reading capture.

Automatic Reloading of Missing Care Plans

We've enhanced the app's reliability with a new feature that automatically attempts to reload your care plan if an error occurs, eliminating the need for manual refreshes or restarts. Additionally, a clear "Loading" indicator now appears whenever the app is actively trying to retrieve your information, providing a more intuitive and seamless user experience. This update ensures that your care plans are always accessible, even when the app is recovering from unexpected issues.

Home Page - Retry Loading HomeA clear "Loading" indicator now appears whenever the app is actively trying to retrieve your information.

Enhanced Audio Experience

This update automatically adjusts the volume before each video or voice call to assist with sound quality. This improvement operates entirely in the background, with no changes to your user interface.

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For patient or clinician-initiated calls, the volume reset will occur during the "Connecting" screen that appears once the call has been placed.

New Feature: Tabular Historic Data

Following the PatientConnect 3.2.0 release of the Last Recorded Reading feature, we are introducing in 3.3.0 a more comprehensive look back of the last ten recording readings with Tabular Historical Data. This feature includes:

  • Redesigned tile page to allow user to access a tabular view of their historical data.
  • Tabular card to display up to last 10 submitted readings within the current episode of care.
    • Includes today's date.
    • Includes readout buttons, for visually impaired users.
    • If no historical data is available, this card will be hidden from the screen for ease of use.
  • No change in functionality for recording BT or manual readings.
  • No change in functionality for offline metric display and clinician actions in patient profile.
    • Offline metrics display as "Sending" until they are sent.
    • Tabular metrics match metrics in the ClinicanConnect patient profile (whether deleted, edited, or reset.)

Note: Medication and Wound Imaging do not have historical data in this release.

Blood Pressure Module - Paired [Page]The new Tabular Card displays up to the last 10 submitted readings.

With this updated tabular view comes a new Paired Device Card with quick tap for device pairing instructions. To enter a manual reading, you can simply tap the Manual Entry button at the bottom of the screen.

pc 3.3.0 paried device cardSimply tap the new Paired Device card to access device pairing instructions.

 

With the latest updates to PatientConnect Redesign, your patients gain:

  • An enhanced understanding of, and involvement with, their own care. They can now view their current day’s readings right on their home screen. 
  • Clearer and easier-to-follow device pairing instructions. We’ve updated each Bluetooth device’s step-by-step pairing instructions to simplify them and help you and your patients have an easier time following along while pairing or unpairing devices. 
  • Faster-to-load care plan updates and assignments. Tablets require less time to process and display a new care plan or update a patient’s current care plan. 
  • The latest support from our audio and video call providers, Vonage and Zoom. No matter which provider your organization uses, you’ll have access to their most recent updates and improvements.

Continue reading to learn more about the new features and improvements coming to PatientConnect!

Improvement: Home Screen Health Task Tile Size, Layout, and Information Enhancements

  • To provide your patients with an easier-to-understand home screen, we’ve redesigned the health task tiles. This new look and layout...
    • Displays each of their most recent health readings right on the home screen, granting your patients a better view into their own submissions. 
    • More comfortably fits each of the health task tiles on the screen so that the patient does not have to scroll up and down to see all their assigned tasks.
PC 3.1.1 - Imagery - Coming Soon - 7 Mods - Incomplete The new look and feel of the PatientConnect Home Screen allows for more information to comfortably fit on the screen, while still showing your patients all the same text and icons they know already.
 

New Feature: Current-Day Reading Overview Available on the Home Screen

  • When a patient submits a reading – Bluetooth or manual – their home screen will display their reading right within the health tile. 
  • To help patients avoid confusion and clearly understand what is due each day, the “Current Reading” feature will only display the readings taken during a single day. The "Current Reading” feature will reset at 12:00 AM [ET] (midnight).

PC 3.1.1 - Imagery - Coming Soon - 7 Mods - Complete - Highlighted

NOTE: To activate this feature for your patients, please contact your HRS representative. 

New Feature: PatientConnect Will Display the Tablet’s Signal Strength

  • To help patients better understand their device’s status in real time, the PatientConnect Home Screen will conveniently display the tablet’s cellular signal strength right next to the remaining battery percentage.

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The signal strength icon appears near the top-right corner of the screen.

New Feature: Tablet Users Can Submit Device Status to HRS Support Staff

  • With the tap of a single button, tablet users can now submit a status report for their device directly to HRS support staff.
  • Submitting a report through this new button – “Submit App Logs” – provides HRS staff with information on the device’s current state and empowers our teams to diagnose and resolve and issues that the device is experiencing.
  • You’ll see this new button in 2 locations within PatientConnect: 
    • If the device is assigned to a patient, the “Submit App Logs” button appears within PatientConnect’s slideout Menu. 
    • If the device is not assigned to a patient, the “Submit App Logs” button appears on the “Assign A Patient” screen.

PC 3.1.1 - Imagery - Coming Soon - Submit App Logs - Menu - Arrow

When the tablet has a patient profile assigned to it, the "Submit App Logs" button appears in the Menu under the Help section.

PC 3.1.1 - Imagery - Coming Soon - Submit App Logs - Assign Patient - Arrow

When the tablet does not have a patient profile assigned to it, the "Submit App Logs" button appears in the top-left corner of the Assign A Patient screen.

Improvement: Clear and Easy-to-Understand Bluetooth Device Pairing Instructions

  • Device-by-device pairing instructions better complement the user experience and align with device manufacturer guidance. If you or your patients need to pair a Bluetooth health device to a tablet, you’ll have much clearer and simpler pairing instructions to follow.
  • You can check out these new instructions by opening PatientConnect’s slide-out Menu, tapping on Devices, selecting a device type, and then tapping on your specific device model.

Improvement: Faster Loading Time for Care Plan Assignments and Updates

  • When you update a patient’s care plan, or assign an entirely new care plan, the tablet now requires less time to process and reflect your changes. Often times, the care plan assignment and update processes take only a few seconds; though we’ve made an update that will eliminate processing times of more than 5 minutes.

Did You Know: Your patients can refresh their PatientConnect Tablet and PatientConnect Mobile profiles with 1 swipe of their home screen? This is the quickest and simplest way to process recent updates. All they have to do is open PatientConnect to their home screen, and gently swipe their device screen in a downward motion.  

Improvement: Support for the Latest Vonage and Zoom Updates

  • To offer you and your patients the latest enhancements provided by our video and voice calling partners, Vonage and Zoom, we’ve implemented recent software updates made for each platform.
    • For our Vonage users, this update provides an audio performance improvement so that calls are clearer, and conversations are easier to hear and understand. 
    • For our Zoom users, this update provides the latest security and performance updates. 

The latest version of PatientConnect Redesign provides key improvements to your and your patients’ experiences in a few important areas:  

  • Streamlining the patient-to-patient device changeover process. We've improved Bluetooth pairing so that clinicians and patients experience fewer instances where Bluetooth devices unpair from the tablet as the kit transitions from one patient to another. 
  • Preventing tablets from showing a black screen. Tablets better adapt to PatientConnect’s necessary memory usage as users interact with the app and complete their daily tasks. 
  • Simplifying and refining the Bluetooth transmission process for glucometer users. We've adjusted how PatientConnect receives and processes readings from the True Metrix Air or True Metrix by Nipro glucometers, resulting in a smoother and more accurate Bluetooth process overall. 
  • Enhancing support for Glucose users with an additional unit of measurement. Organizations utilizing Millimoles per Liter (mmol/L) as their unit of measurement for glucose readings can now see and hear mmol/L as their default metric on all HRS products.

Continue reading to learn more about each improvement.

Improvement: Bluetooth Pairing Continuity Between Devices and Tablets

  • To simplify your workflow between patient kit assignments, we improved Bluetooth pairing to help prevent Bluetooth devices from unpairing in-between patient profile assignments.
  • This reduces the opportunity for your devices to unpair in between patient assignments (regardless of the length of time between assignments), simplifies the changeover process for inventory managers, and empowers more patients to smoothly transition to at-home care.

 Improvement: Refining the Glucometer-to-Tablet Bluetooth Transmission Process 

  • To provide our Glucose health task users and their clinicians with a better overall experience, we refined how PatientConnect receives and process health readings submitted from the True Metrix Air or True Metrix by Nipro glucometers.

New Feature: Millimoles Per Liter Available as Unit of Measurement for Glucose 

  • In support of our international users, we introduced Millimoles Per Liter (mmol/L) as an available unit of measurement for our Glucose health task
  • If your organization utilizes mmol/L as your standard unit of measurement for Glucose, PatientConnect will display and audibly announce “mmol/L” in all areas of the app, including users submit their metrics.

Bug Fixes

  • We made a few backend updates to prevent tablets from displaying a black screen that stops users from interacting with PatientConnect.

Behind-The-Scenes Software Updates & Bug Fixes:

  • We've made a few updates to our system and resolved a few bugs to provide a better, more seamless experience for our PatientConnect users.

Improvement: Reliability and Consistency of Tablet Status Updates

  • We have increased the speed within which tablets will process and display changes to its status, including the:
    • Assignment of a Patient Profile to the tablet.
    • Updating of a previously assigned Patient Profile and/or Care Plan.
    • Recording and processing of biometric submissions.
    • Recording and processing survey submissions.

Improvement: Increased Text Size Within PatientConnect App

  • We’ve increased the size of the on-screen text throughout many parts of PatientConnect, including the:
    • Home Screen Navigation Bar
    • Menu
    • Contact button
    • Messages window
    • Device Instructions pages

PC-Tablet-Increased-Text-Size-Highlighted-1

Pictured Above: Increasing the text size of certain words and lists will further assist our users with visual impairments and make PatientConnect a more accessible app.

Improvement: PatientConnect Can “Read Aloud” Metrics 

  • To better support our users with visual impairments, PatientConnect Redesign can audibly announce a submitted metric to the user. 
  • In addition, to guarantee time for PatientConnect Redesign to audibly announce the metric, the submission countdown timer increased to 8 seconds. Previously, it was a 5-second countdown timer. 

Improvement: "Charging" Symbol Introduced on PatientConnect Home Screen 

  • When a PatientConnect Redesign user plugs the tablet into a power source, and the tablet is charging, the PatientConnect Home Screen will display a lightning bolt icon overtop of the battery icon. This lightning bolt icon informs that tablet user that their tablet is charging.

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Pictured Above: The new "device charging" symbol will inform PatientConnect Tablet users of the tablet's current charging status.

Improvement: User Accessibility Enhancements Throughout PatientConnect  

  • We’ve increased the contrast between certain elements within the application. Doing so improves readability for visually impaired users.
  • Increased our app’s accessibility with “descriptive text” that will allow screen readers and assistive technology to read out additional, page-specific information.
  • Enhanced our level of support for device-specific font size increases by an iPhone (iOS) user, so that PatientConnect Mobile will display the user’s preferred font size.
  • If a PatientConnect user has a keyboard plugged into their device, they can use the Escape (ESC) button to close pop-up screens and return to the previous page. For example, the patient could press ESC to close the Blood Pressure module and return to the PatientConnect Home Screen.

Improvement: Audio Alerts for Reminders

  • PatientConnect Mobile users will hear their device’s standard audio sounds for app reminders. 
  • PatientConnect will feature a new audio notification language for reminders.

Improvement: “Assign A Patient” Screen to Display the PatientConnect Version Number

  • To help a tablet user understand which version of PatientConnect their tablet is using, the PatientConnect Version Number will now appear on the “Assign A Patient” screen. 

PC-Tablet-Version-Number

Pictured Above: Placing the PatientConnect Version Number on the “Assign A Patient” screen helps a tablet user understand the current software version without assigning a patient OR contacting HRS for assistance. 

 

Improvement: "Contact” Button Hidden From PatientConnect Users Who Do Not Use Voice Calling, Video Calling, and Messaging

  • If a ClinicianConnect user disables communication for a patient, or the patient does not have an assigned clinician, that patient will not see the Contact Clinician dropdown menu item within PatientConnect.

Improvement: Historical Bluetooth Readings No Longer Recorded or Transmitted to ClinicianConnect.  

  • If a patient records a reading with a health device while the tablet is powered off or is out of range, and then takes another reading later with the tablet powered on and within range, the tablet will only transmit the most recent reading.

Improvement: Updated Pairing Instructions for Bluetooth Health Devices 

  • PatientConnect users will see clearer, more informative pairing instructions for each supported Bluetooth health device. 
  • We’ve removed instructions for health devices that are no longer supported.

February 13, 2023

Improvement: Consent Form Submission

We’ve made an improvement that will help you have a better experience using PatientConnect by resolving an issue some users experienced while submitting a consent form. 

Please note, you may see a Bluetooth Pairing Request pop-up message following this update. If you receive a Bluetooth Pairing Request, please tap on Pair. 

Pictured: an example of a Bluetooth Pairing Request pop-up message. 

January 5, 2023

Improvement: Android Device Users Will Hear Audible Notification of Incoming Calls and Messages

  • When a patient receives a video or voice call from their care team or caregiver, the patient will hear an audible notification of the incoming call or message.  
    • For voice or video calls, the patient will hear a “ringing” notification.  
    • For a text message, the patient will hear a “beeping” tone. 
  • To hear the notification, a patient must have their device’s volume turned on.

Improvement: PDF Documents Will Open Right in PatientConnect Mobile

  • When a patient taps on an assigned PDF document, PatientConnect Mobile will automatically open their PDF right within the app. Patients will still be able to scroll up and down, zoom in, and zoom out just like before. 

Improvement: Caregivers Organized Alphabetically by First Name

  • No matter the order that two or more caregivers are added for a patient, the caregivers will now appear in alphabetical order by first name.

Bug Fixes

  • On-screen text becomes a bit easier to read with some minor UI polishing. 

March 3, 2022

New Feature: Additional Welch Allyn and TaiDoc Peripheral Devices

  • To better serve our patients and clinicians, we’re adding a new blood pressure monitor, scale, and thermometer to our inventory of available peripheral devices:
    • Welch Allyn Home® Blood Pressure Monitor
    • Welch Allyn Home® Scale
    • TaiDoc TD-1107 Ear Thermometer

Improvement: “Reset Metrics” Button Added to Four Modules

  • Looking for an updated reading? Patients will soon be able to submit additional metrics for the Activity, Medication, Survey, and Weight modules as clinicians gain the ability to reset a patient’s metrics through ClinicianConnect.

Improvement: Adding a Patient Consent Form Reset Button

  • Clinicians gain the ability to reset a patient’s consent form through the patient’s profile, allowing the patient to review and complete the consent form more than once during their care journey.

Improvement: Available Bluetooth Devices List to Only Show HRS-Supported Peripherals

  • With the goal of simplifying the pairing process and avoiding confusion for patients, PatientConnect Mobile users will only see HRS-supported peripherals on the Device List page going forward.

Improvement: The “Wound Imaging” Module Will Become the “Imaging” Module

  • To better reflect the module’s true capabilities for clinicians, patients, and caregivers, the “Wound Imaging” module will appear as the “Imaging” module:
    • On the PatientConnect Mobile Home Screen
    • As the title text once a patient opens the Imaging module from PatientConnect Mobile’s Home Screen

Bug Fixes

  • Resolution of issues impacting the patient’s overall experience using PatientConnect Mobile