This help topic is intended to give an overview of Tracking Shell in CST Cerner.
The Tracking Shell is an electronic list that gives a snapshot of all patient information at a particular location (i.e. Emergency Department, Dialysis Unit, Morgue etc.). Tracking Shell serves as the desktop for linking health care professionals to vital patient and department information.
Tracking Shell can be used to:
Track Patient Activity
Communicate with other members of the health care team
Designate which providers are needed to see patients
Review clinical information related to patient care activities
Tracking Shells are available for specific locations such as ED, Oncology,Obstetric, Renal and Ambulatory locations. Tracking Shell is accessible only by end users who work in those areas and have specific positions (i.e. Nurse, Provider, Social Work, Dietitian etc) that have been given access to this tool.
Help topics are available for the following areas:
Tracking Shell Overview (Hemodialysis)
Oncology Tracking Shell Overview
Maternity Tracking Shell Overview
Although, each Tracking Shell is unique and designed specifically to meet the workflow needs of specific areas, Tracking Shell will share similar functions that we will outline in this overview.
The Tracking Shell window can be opened from the main toolbar.
Click the Tracking Shell button in the toolbar.
Tracking Shell tabs specific to your position and location will display.
Select the appropriate tab.
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LEGEND |
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A |
Tracking Shell |
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B |
Location tabs - Notice the different tabs at the top of the window. Each tab displays all patients in the specific location |
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Column Headers - Display the type of general patient information listed. |
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Filter - You may use the filter to help get a visual on the group of patients that are specific to your role. |
Location Tabs display several Tracking Shell views.
Select the applicable location by clicking its tab (i.e. SPH HD Unit, ED LGH Generic View, LGH L&D, SPH MSSU/OPAT).
Tracking Shell Columns, displays specific patient details (i.e. Location, Name, Room etc).
You may sort a column by clicking on a Column heading. The default is on chronological order. For example, if you click on Location column heading 
a second time a reverse triangle appears will allow you to view information in reverse order.
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NOTE: Many of the columns in Tracking Shell will auto-populate from documentation (or orders) that are completed elsewhere in the patient’s chart, such as in iView or PowerForms. Therefore, the information visible in Tracking Shell is only as accurate as what the users’ document within the patient’s chart.
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The To Note column displays Events. Events are the time-stamped activities that occur during a patient's visit. See Add or Remove an Event on a Tracking Shell.
The Comments column contains a free text option for informal communication. You can add comments by clicking into the comments box for your patient. See Add or Remove a Comment on a Tracking Shell.
Each tracking shell will use different icons to communicate vital patient information. Hover over the icons to view icon information.
Examples of icons that may be found in Tracking Shell:
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Icon |
Description |
Column |
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Provider Exam Needed |
To Note |
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Allergy documented in Allergy section |
Allergy |
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Clinical Trial/Study
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To Note |
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Interpreter Required |
To Note |
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Outpatient Rx Ready |
To Note |
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Treatment in Progress |
To Note |
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Treatment on Hold |
To Note |
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Porter Called |
To Note |
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Volunteer Needed |
To Note |
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Ready for Treatment |
To Note |
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Meds in Process |
To Note |
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Meds Ready |
To Note |
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Suicide Precautions |
Alerts |
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Falls Risk |
Alerts |
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Isolation |
Alerts/To Note |
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Visitor Restrictions |
Alerts |
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NOTE: For information about Tracking Shell icons in specific areas, please refer to the following available CST Cerner Help Topics: |
Events display under the To Note column of the Tracking Shell.
Events are used to communicate the status of activities for a patient. For example, Meds Ready event is added by Pharmacy to communicate to Nursing that the patient’s chemotherapy is ready and nurses will add Ready for Treatment event to communicate all checks have been done and patient is ready). See Add or Remove an Event on a Tracking Shell.
The Comments column contains a free text option for informal communication. You can add comments by clicking into the comments box for your patient. See Add or Remove a Comment on a Tracking Shell.
In order to facilitate finding the patients most relevant to your work, it is possible to search filter a list in Tracking Shell.
The Filter Bar in Tracking shell can be set to display certain lists (i.e. certain time frames or dispositions)
The Patient filter is a bar to search or scroll through to find a specific patient. You may select a patient from a list sorted alphabetically from the patient drop-down.
You can open patient charts from Tracking Shell.
Locate your patient and double-click the empty cell in the far left column of the patient’s row.
A blue arrow 
will appear and an Assign a Relationship window will open.
Click on your relationship.
Click OK.
If you do not see the proper Tracking Lists or do not see any at all, you may have to set your workstation location. See Set a Workstation Location on a Tracking Shell.
Add or Remove an Event on a Tracking Shell
Add or Remove a Comment on a Tracking Shell
Set a Workstation Location on a Tracking Shell
Oncology Tracking Shell Overview
Maternity Tracking Shell Overview
Maternity Tracking Shell Icons
Tracking Shell Overview (Hemodialysis)
ED Tracking Shell for Pharmacy
ED Tracking Shell (Medical Imaging)
Use SPH MSSU OPAT and SPU MSSU OPAT Check Out Tracking Shells (Clerks)
Add/Remove Tracking Shell Lists
Nurse
Provider
Social Worker
Dietitian
Pharmacy
Medical Imaging
Research
Clerk
Allied
Event
To Note
Comment
ED
Oncology
Maternity
Obstetrics
Hemodialysis
Nephrology
Last Updated: March 15, 2022
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