Addiction and Mental Health - Domestic Abuse Response Team

Domestic violence can take many forms, including verbal, physical, sexual, psycological, emotional, spiritual, and the violation of rights which can happen in any relationship based on intamcay, dependency, or trust. The Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) offers specialized support to patients of all genders who are experiencing any form of domestic violence. Individuals do not have to be in a crisis to access the DART response, and can request a referral at select emergency departments, urgent care centres, and maternity units. Participation is voluntary and at no cost to the patient.

Although, as of November 30th, 2023, the DART project has sunset, domestic violence services are still being provided through localized shelter response, while individuals are present within the Alberta Health Services (AHS) or Covenant Health facility. Referrals of patients to the respective shelters remain confidential, nonjudgemental, and choice-based. A referral is initated through the patient or by an AHS or Covenant Health employee. A shelter responder will connect with the individual over the phone to conduct further assessment and provide the following services based on their needs.

• emotional support
• information and education about domestic violence
• assistance with safety planning
• information about and referrals to local supports, including financial assistance, counselling, food bank, etc.
• assistance with contacting local law enforcement and / or Children's Services
• access to safe accommodations, including emergency shelter or hotel

This service is provided by AHS or Covenant Health and external shelter service providers.

Adult Inpatient Program

The program offers:

Acute Mental Health Services

Assessment, treatment, and stabilization to people 18 to 64 years who have a severe and continuing mental illness and / or are having an acute mental health crisis. The program supports people as they integrate back into their community by making sure they have the contacts and services they need.

This service is provided by Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health Services contracted service providers

Alberta Healthy Living Program - Central Zone

Due to COVID, some programs may be offered via Zoom.

Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP) services provided vary slightly from Zone to Zone. Services include information, education, techniques, and support to help improve your health and quality of life with a chronic condition. The program is based on a model that includes:

Health Education:

• Adult Weight Management - Learn safe and effective strategies to promote healthy living and weight management.
• Diabetes the Basics – Nutrition, physical activity and stress can affect diabetes management. These workshops will help you learn about diabetes and effective strategies to help manage it.
• Heart Wise: Managing blood Pressure and cholesterol – Maintaining a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol level reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and many other illnesses. In this workshop, offered in collaboration with AHS Nutrition Services, you will learn what affects your blood pressure and cholesterol level and what you can do to manage them.
• Other workshops – Learn how sleep, regular exercise, stress management and nutrition contribute to our health. Create goals and action plans. Learn effective weight management strategies.

Self-Management:

Better Choices, Better Health® - Nutrition, physical activity and stress affect your life, especially when you’re living with ongoing health concerns. These workshops will help you discover changes and strategies to help you live healthier. This education is originally based on Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and is vailable online. You can join this workshop from any computer with an Internet connection, including dial-up. You can choose to remain anonymous. Better Choices Better Health

Exercise Programs:

Exercise can help you manage chronic conditions and stay healthy. Learning to do it safely will help you prevent injury and stay on track for living healthy. Sessions vary by community.

Specialty Care / Clinics:

Pregnancy and Diabetes - Learn important diabetes management skills when planning a pregnancy and how to manage diabetes during pregnancy.

Type 1 Diabetes - Learn diabetes self-management skills such as insulin adjustment, nutrition, physical activity, illness, ketones and glucagon care.

Type 2 Diabetes - Learn diabetes self-management skills such as insulin adjustment, nutrition, physical activity and illness care.

Insulin Pump - Learn about insulin pump therapy, how to use an insulin pump effectively and how to access insulin pump therapy in Alberta.

For more information please visit our website: Alberta Healthy Living Program

Alberta Trauma Services

Services provided may include:

• sending patients to the hospital that can best help them
• assessment, resuscitation, and treatment
• rehabilitation
• helping patients return to their community
• trauma education
• injury prevention education
• trauma research
• data collection for the Alberta Trauma Registry

This service cares for people from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories depending on location.

For more information visit our webpage.

Anticoagulation Clinic

Services include:

• treatment for blood clots
• treatment dose anticoagulation initiation and dosing (atrial fibrillation, heart valves)
• anticoagulation for complex health issues (pregnancy, cancer, etc.)
• anticoagulation management for clients with unstable INRs
• anticoagulation bridging for surgery or invasive procedures (warfarin interruption, and coverage with low molecular-weight heparin)
• resources and education for patients, families, and health providers

Bereavement Support Program

The sessions are not intended to be a group therapy environment, but rather an opportunity to learn together, and in the process to receive and offer support and understanding. Focusing on a different topic each week, the program is designed to give people information and strategies from trained facilitators to learn about loss and how to cope with one's grief.

Blood Gas Laboratory

Offers blood gas assessments.

Bronchoscopy Program

Offers testing for adults to diagnose respiratory symptoms and / or problems.

Cafeteria Services

Cafeteria services offer food and beverages at Alberta Health Services facilities. Catering services and vending machines are available at some sites. Each cafeteria services site team is dedicated to creating great food, inspiring healthy eating, and providing outstanding customer service to support the health of Albertans.

**Please note hours of operation may vary from site to site.

Cafeteria Services - Cafe VA

Offers fresh food that people can buy at AHS hospitals and facilities. Vending machines are also available.

Cafeteria Services - Jolt N Bolt Friends of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre

Offers fresh food that people can buy at AHS hospitals and facilities. Vending machines are also available.

Cardiac Devices / Pacemaker and ICD Services

Provides regular follow up care to make sure pacemakers and ICDs (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators) are working properly and to watch for any other heart-related problems.

Cardiac Exercise Stress Testing

Provides testing to check for heart problems, which includes:

• exercise tolerance tests, cardiac perfusion stress tests, and echo stress tests (some sites may not offer all of these services)
• exercise stress tests to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD)

Your healthcare provider will tell you about the test that you need. When your test is done, the doctor will tell you if you need any medicine, treatments, or lifestyle changes.

Cardiac Monitoring Services

Offers heart (cardiac) monitoring services, which includes:

• holter monitoring
• cardiac event monitoring
• blood pressure monitoring (while you do your regular activities)

Some sites may not offer all of the above services.

Cardiac Patient Navigation

Provides one point of access for urgent and semi-urgent cardiac referrals to help eliminate duplication, improve access, and reduce waiting times. Patients will be called by a nurse and triage information will be collected to assist in booking.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Provides people with heart disease with individualized exercise programs, blood pressure monitoring, and electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Also offers education sessions about:

• heart disease and risk factors
• ways to manage stress
• medicines
• eating for a healthy heart
• emotions and heart disease
• how to conserve energy

Cast Room Outpatient Department Clinic

Outpatient cast room provides complete casting to splinting service and trained orthopedic technicians:

• treatment
• eduction for patients
• training for new residents and orthotechs

Central Alberta Sexual Assault Response Team

Providing forensic examinations within 7 days of the assault. The examiner will:

• coordinate medical treatment
• forensic examinations
• police involvment as per the patient's wishes
• counselling and follow up

Patients aged 11 and younger will be referred to the Sexual Assualt ResponseTeam Pediatrician available through the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre's Emergency Department.

Child and Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Services

Inpatient unit providing community referrals, assessment and short-term stabilization of children with acute mental health needs.

Clinical Breast Health Program

Helps patients access services in a timely manner, and minimize delays in receiving care.

Services include:

• care coordination by nurse navigators who are specialized in breast health and cancer
• coordination of diagnostic tests and other appointments, such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies
• patient education to assist with decisions about treatment options
• support from clinical social workers
• help resolving issues regarding appointment scheduling, as well as problems getting to appointments such as transportation and child care issues

Patients remain in the program until no further surgical treatments are required and transfer of care to a cancer centre is confirmed. Patients are discharged from the program if it is determined they do not have cancer or if they do not need to be monitored further.

The program does not offer routine breast (mammography) screening.

Computed Tomography

Computed tomography, also known as "CT Scan" or "CAT Scan", is when pictures of the body are taken using radiation and computer-enhanced imaging.

Dermatology Clinic

Provides care for adults with skin (dermatological) problems. Services include:

• assessment for all skin problems
• treatment for most skin problems (melanoma, patch therapy)
• preventative care
• minor surgery
• education / follow up care

Diabetes Insulin Pump Therapy Clinics

Provides support for people of all ages with type 1 or type 3 diabetes who want to start using an insulin pump. An insulin pump is a device a person wears instead of giving daily insulin injections. It is portable and can be programmed. It’s about the size of a pager and delivers fast-acting insulin through a small tube that is put under the skin. The site has to be changed every 2 to 3 days.

For more information, please visit: Diabetes Insulin Pump Therapy | Alberta Health Services

Diabetes Specialty Care

Offers Individual appointments for teaching and support which includes:

• staying well with diabetes
• how to manage diabetes
• managing diabetes complications
• insulin pump therapy

Group and individual sessions:

• gestational diabetes (and Pre-existing Diabetes in Pregnancy)

Videoconference and teleconference sessions are available from Red Deer as needed.

Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic

Provides specialized care for diseases, injuries or abnormalities of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck. Consulting Services include:

• Myringotomy
• biopsies
• excisions
• ear surgery

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Screening

With your consent, your baby's hearing screening will happen before your baby leaves the hospital. The results of your baby's hearing screening and any follow up needed will be shared with you.

Hearing screening is the best way to find out if your baby has hearing loss.

Hearing screening is quick, safe, and will not hurt your baby. Your baby's hearing is important for many areas of child and brain development. Hearing loss can delay your child's speech, learning and social skills.

For more information, visit our website.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program - Postpartum Screening

With your consent, your baby's hearing screening will happen before your baby leaves the hospital. The results of your baby's hearing screening and any follow up needed will be shared with you.

Your baby will be referred to Community Hearing Screening if:

• your baby is discharged from hospital or birth centre before hearing screening can take place
• your baby is born at a hospital or birth centre that does not offer hearing screening
• your baby is not born in a hospital or birth centre

For more information on screening in the community, see the service type Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program - Community Hearing Screening.

Hearing screening is the best way to find out if your baby has hearing loss.

Hearing screening is quick, safe, and will not hurt your baby. Your baby's hearing is important for many areas of child and brain development. Hearing loss can delay your child's speech, learning and social skills.

For more information, visit our website.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography uses ultrasound to study the structure and function of the heart, including blood flow through the heart and its valves.

Electroencephalography

Offers electroencephalographs (EEGs), which are tests used to diagnose diseases, injuries, or problems with the brain.

Electromyography

The program provides testing to adult inpatient and outpatients as well as some pediatric clients.

Emergency Services

If you have an emergency, call 911.

Emergency departments:

• take care of people that are very sick or injured on a priority basis. This means the sickest people are seen first. If you go to an emergency department for care that isn't urgent, you will not likely be seen right away.
• provide medical care, which includes assessment and treatment
• stabilize people and get them ready to transport to a higher level of care facility (if needed)
• provide follow-up care including referrals to a family doctor or specialist (if needed)

Emergency Department wait times are now available for Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

Get the right care when you need it, to learn more visit Know Your Options

This service may be impacted by the COVID pandemic. View the Hours of Operations to see if the location has been impacted. Visit https://ahs.ca/covid for up-to-date information.

Endocrinology Clinic

The Endocrinology Clinic provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment and education of all major Endocrine conditions in patients 16 years and older. These include:

• Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, including insulin pump management
• Endocrine disorders in pregnancy, including diabetes in pregnancy
• Thyroid disease: hypo- and hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer
• Adrenal disease including adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, Pheochromocytoma, Hyperaldosteronism and adrenal nodules
• Pituitary disease including hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea, acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma
• Gonadal disease: hypogonadism, premature ovarian failure
• Parathyroid disease: hypo- and hyperparathyroidism
• Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease
• Metabolic diseases such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Hemochromatosis, etc.
• Male and Female Infertility related to hormonal disorders

Endoscopy Services

This services provides endoscopy procedures including:

• gastroscopy - examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
• colonoscopy - examination of the large bowel
• ERCP - examination of the bile ducts and the pancreatic ducts

NOTE: Services vary by site across the zone.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program supports implementation of standardized patient care related to nutrition, mobility after surgery, pain and nausea control, and fluid intake management. We engage patients and make them part of the team by involving them in preparation for their surgery and post-operative recovery. By helping patients stay strong, we can improve outcomes, reduce complications and create a better patient experience.

Before surgery:

• patients are taught to minimize time without fluids or food
• patients are taught about what to expect after surgey and health activities to practice that will help them recover
• medications for pain, nausea, infection, and blood clot prevention are given based on best practice evidence

During surgery:

• management of pain, nausea and fluids is provided
• techniques are applied to reduce surgical stress response (minimally invasive surgery, employ blocks or freezing to prevent pain signals from setting off fight or flight /stress response)

After surgery:

• evidence promotes less use of or early removal of lines, drains, tubes and urinary catheter removal
• better outcomes through drinking, eating, gum chewing, moving and walking
• improved pain, nausea and surgical complication rate

For more information, visit the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) website.

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a real time x-ray like a video, which is used by physicians and staff to assist imaging throughout the body during exams.

Gastrointestinal Clinic

Clinic consists of a multidisciplinary team of nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacy, dietitian, and allied health services for patients with an established diagnosis of one of the listed conditions. Services include supportive education for patients & families, assistance to set-up medication funding and delivery, monitoring during treatment, and education to prevent re-infection.

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Crohn’s

General Internal Medicine Clinic

Ensuring complex medical patients have a safe transition from hospital to home. Access for patients to a Pharmacist post discharge for question and concerns. The unit clerk ensures all diagnostics and outside referrals are completed as ordered.

At home telephone consult 2-7 days from discharge to assess the patient and to address questions and concerns or ongoing medical issues.

General Radiography (X-Ray)

General Radiography uses x-rays to produce images of the structures inside the body, particularly bones. X-ray beams can pass through the body, but they are absorbed in different amounts depending on the density of the material they pass through.

General Surgery Outpatients Clinic

General surgery consults and minor procedures including:

• gallbladder
• breast cancer
• excisions (limpomas / cysts, etc.)
• hernias
• fistula's / fissures / hemmorhoids

Gift Shop

Offers many items that you can buy for visitors and people in the hospital, including:

• gifts
• toiletries
• magazines
• cards
• knit and crocheted goods
• quilts
• baby shower and wedding gifts
• flowers and plants

Not all items are available at every location.

Gynecology Clinic

Services may include:

• colposcopy
• gynecological procedures
• reproductive health
• Leeps
• laser to cervix
• PAPs
• excisions

Health Information - Access and Disclosure

In accordance with Alberta's Health Information Act, this is a service which enables the release of individually identifiable health information with or without the consent of an individual.

For health information, please contact the hospital or health care centre where you received treatment.

For detailed instructions, frequently asked questions and forms, please visit Access & Disclosure | Alberta Health Services.

Health Information / Records Management

Completes patient charts, collects data, data entry and coding, collects patient information, dictates notes, and transcribes inpatient and outpatient charts.

Heart Function Clinic

The Heart Function Clinic helps patients and their families meet the challenge of heart failure care through a supportive relationship with a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals. Important services include:

• initial and ongoing evaluation of condition
• improved coordination of care
• empowering patients with confidence, skills and ability to effectively self - manage HF
• providing individualized patient education
• optimization of heart failure care including medication use and dose adjustments
• promotion of positive life style changes
• patient / family support
• referrals to specialists and other programs

The clinic encourages self - management with regular assessments, evaluation and follow - up with team members.

Hemodialysis - Alberta Kidney Care - North

Provides hemodialysis treatments (a process where the client’s blood is passed through a special filter that removes waste products and water).

Most people need 3 treatments every week. Each treatment lasts 4 hours.

Hepatitis and Cirrhosis Clinic

Clinic consists of a multidisciplinary team of nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacy, dietitian, and allied health services for patients with an established diagnosis of one of the listed conditions. Services include supportive education for patients & families, assistance to set-up medication funding and delivery, monitoring during treatment, and education to prevent re-infection.

• Hepatitis
• Cirrhosis

Hospitals

To access contact information and a list of services offered, select a hospital.

Search through a complete list of progams and services, or hospital and facility information with the following:

Find Healthcare:

• Progams & Services
• Hospitals & Facilities

Indigenous Hospital Support Services

This program provides support and health information to healthcare providers, Indigenous patients / clients and their families through personal visits. Specifically, this includes:

• case management
• patient advocacy
• cultural teaching
• patient / client language interpretation
• health literacy support
• logistical support for discharge planning for Indigenous peoples

This service is available on-site in hospitals, public health centres and in the community. Upon request, staff can be present at hospital rounds, medical appointments and case conferences. This program will communicate with the healthcare team to ensure provision of culturally sensitive healthcare service.

Patients and clients may also be asked about their healthcare experience to help ensure they receive the best possible healthcare.

Interventional Radiography / Angiography

Interventional Radiography is a sub-specialty of Diagnostic Imaging (radiology) that uses imag-guided procedures for both therapeutic and diagnostic Purposes. Interventional radiography can be done using x-ray, CT, Ultrasound or MRI images and are done to diagnose and treat disease in almost every organ system.

Angiography, which is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a radio-opaque dye and a specialized x-ray camera to take pictures of the blood flow in specific blood vessels (arteries or veins) or blood flow within the heart itself. Sometimes treatments are done during an angiogram.

Laboratory Services

Laboratory Services provides collection of blood and body fluids for tests ordered by your doctor or healthcare provider including a comprehensive range of routine and specialized lab testing and clinical consultations:

• blood and body fluid sample collection
• biochemistry and toxicology
• electrocardiogram (ECG)
• genetics and genomics
• urinalysis
• transfusion medicine
• hematology
• coagulation studies
• microbiology
• public health testing
• serology
• surgical pathology
• cytopathology
• autopsy pathology
• student practicum training for medical lab technologists and medical lab assistants

Note: Some locations may not offer the full range of testing. To confirm availability of a specific test, contact the location.

APL Booking Line: 1-877-702-4486 or book online.

Lost and Found Services

Contact sites in the Central Zone directly with questions about items that have been lost or found.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields and radiowaves to form images of the body. The technique is widely used in hospitals for medical diagnosis, staging of disease and for follow-up without exposure to ionizing radiation.

Used for many exams, including: head, spine, heart, bone / joints, and abdomen.

Maternal Child Counselling Services

Inpatient counselling support, information and referral services for patients and the families on the Maternity, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatric Units at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

Perinatal Bereavement Program is offered within the Red Deer Regional Hospital, providing assistance with healthy outcome for infants, children, youth and their families. With services such as:

• short term counselling
• inpatient support
• community referrals
• patient support

Medical Day Room

Services provided may include:

• IV infusion therapies
• blood or blood product administration
• bladder instillation for treatment of bladder cancer
• diagnostic imaging interventional procedures

Moose Cottage

Volunteers are the compassionate hosts who welcome patients, families, visitors, and staff seeking respite from patient care. Coffee, tea, sweets and warm conversation are offered up to all who visit.

Multiple Sclerosis Clinic

Services include:

• Investigation and diagnosis
• assessments, treatments, and follow-up
• involving clients, families, and caregivers in making the care plan
• assisting clients in having the confidence, skills, and ability to manage MS
• education for clients, families, and other healthcare providers
• assisting clients in seeing healthcare providers specialized in managing MS
• client and family support

Neonatal Intensive Care Services

This unit provides level ll care to babies born at 32 weeks or later.

New Patient Referral at Central Alberta Cancer Centre

For service information, visit the Central Alberta Cancer Centre website.

Nuclear Medicine

Clients swallow, inhale, or are given a needle with a radiotracer before their exam. Radiotracers go to a specific body part so the camera can take pictures. (tests may take a number of hours to complete; patients may be required to return later that day or the next day to complete exam).

Radiotracers are also given to treat diseases like thyroid disease.

Nuclear Stress Testing

Uses a special machine to take pictures of blood moving through the heart muscle before and during exercise. Another test is offered for clients who are not able to exercise.

Nurse Outpatient Clinic

Procedures done by nursing staff that include:

• phlebotomy
• suture / staple removal
• dressing changes
• Winrho injections
• plcc line removal

Nutrition Counselling - Adult

The majority of nutrition counselling occurs on an individual basis, however, group sessions may be offered to promote enhanced learning of clients. Nutrition information and resources can be found on Alberta Health Services’ Healthy Eating Starts Here and at MyHealth.Alberta.ca

Additional service:

Nutrition Counselling (Dietitian) - Alberta Healthy Living Program

Nutrition Counselling - Pediatric

The majority of nutrition counselling occurs on an individual basis, however, group sessions may be offered to promote enhanced learning of clients. Nutrition information and resources can be found on Alberta Health Services’ Healthy Eating Starts Here and at MyHealth.Alberta.ca. Information and services provided for:

• general nutritional counselling
• healthy eating for optimal growth
• pediatric weight management
• allergies / food intolerances
• breastfeeding / formula feeding concerns
• failure to thrive
• inappropriate diet for age or restricted diet that may lead to nutrient deficiencies

Additional service:

Nutrition Counselling (Dietitian) - Alberta Healthy Living Program
Pediatric Weight Management

Obstetrics Services

Services provided include:

• care during pregnancy (antepartum care)
• outpatient obstetrical assessment and triage
• obstetrical pre-admission clinic
• labour and delivery
• postpartum and newborn care

Occupational Therapy - Outpatients / Community

Provides services such as:

• assessment
• evaluation
• learn to live with a disability
• manage a chronic disease
• with end-of-life care
• rehabilitation
• treatment
• education
• health promotion

Services are available at outpatient hospital clinics, community health centres, patient’s homes and continuing care / long term care centres.

Note: Services may vary by community – please call for more information.

Outpatient Hands and Plastics

Using a primary therapist model, the team assess, treat and provides follow up for clients with:

• post-surgical hand / wrist injuries
• pre-surgical hand conditions
• complex plastic needs for non-hand injuries
• interventions may include splinting and exercise recommendations
• follow up frequency is determined by the therapist

Outpatient Urology Clinic

This urology service consults and urological procedures that require hospital resources:

• cystoscopy
• vasectomy
• stent removal
• hydrocele

Palliative Care

Supports people and their families during the dying process and at the end of life. Services are offered in different places, including at home, in health centres, and in continuing care centres.

Services include:

• assessing and dealing with symptoms
• giving end-of-life care options
• planning care at home
• offering counselling and support
• helping people access care and resources outside the area

Parkinson's Clinic

Services include:

• Investigation and diagnosis
• Assessments, treatments and follow-up
• Involving clients, families and caregivers in making the care plan
• Assisting clients in having the confidence, skills and ability to manage Parkinson’s
• Education for clients, families and other healthcare providers
• Assisting clients to see health care providers specialized in managing Parkinson’s
• Client and family support

Patient Email Well Wishes

As part of our support for patient care and comfort, friends and family of inpatients at hospital and health care facilities can send well wishes via email. Sites participating in the program will receive the message, will ensure that the message is only "well-wish" (any other type of communication will be deleted) and will arrange for delivery within 3 business days. A couple of important reminders - the electronic delivery system is not a secure connection, so please don't add any confidential information to your message. Plus the "well-wish" system does not allow for replies or confirm receipt / delivery confirmation.

Patient Food Services

Patient Food Services overarching objectives are to:

• Offer quality food and food choice, to support Patient Centered Care
• Work with the whole care team to ensure that Meals Matter
• Foster a positive meal experience that results in enjoyment of meals, as well as improved satisfaction and food intake that supports recovery
• Provide menus that are based on “Canada’s Food Guide” and that are adaptable for therapeutic requirements
• Offer appealing food that encourages eating for health
• Provide meal service styles appropriate to the patient population (e.g. tray service, dining room service) and meal delivery systems that support safe high quality food served at appropriate temperatures to the correct patient / resident

PFS delivers more than 31,000 patient/resident meals each day within AHS facilities.

Patient Information

Services offered:

• responding to patient location inquires
• providing direction on a patients whereabouts

Pediatric Cardiology Outreach Clinic

The service provides specialized care for children, from birth to 18 years of age, who may require surgery or ongoing medical management of their cardiac condition.

The following diagnostic services are offered within the clinic:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) - provides rhythm evaluation and testing
• Pediatric echocardiography - specializes in diagnostic ultrasound scanning (infant, children, youth)

Pediatric Services - Acute Care

This service provides acute inpatient medical/surgical care for children. Children requiring Pediatric Intensive care are cared for in Edmonton and Calgary facilities.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Clients will receive a thorough internal and external evaluation by a pelvic health physiotherapist to determine the cause of their symptoms:

• be provided with individualized treatment programs to manage their condition
• be provided with education regarding the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of pelvic health conditions
• be advised on self-management strategies to improve or control symptoms and prevent recurrence

Pharmacy Services

Pharmacy Services are provided by:

• pharmacists monitoring drug therapy to ensure it is appropriate for the patient and making therapy recommendations
• pharmacists providing direct patient care by reviewing patient clinical status and drug therapy, identifying drug-related problems, and working with the healthcare team to resolve them
• the pharmacy department providing a safe, accurate, and timely drug distribution system

Physiotherapy - Outpatients / Community

Rehabilitation service for patients who have recently been discharged from hospital or are recovering from surgery.

Provides services such as:

• assessment
• consultation
• evaluation
• treatment
• rehabilitation
• education
• health promotion

Services are available at outpatient hospital clinics, community health centres, patient’s homes and continuing care / long term care centres.

Note: Services may vary by community – please call for more information.

Plastic Surgery Clinic

Provides consults / follow ups and minor procedures for:

• excisions
• trigger fingers
• carpal tunnel
• burns / wounds
• lipoma's, cysts, ganglions, lesions
• breast reduction and reconstruction
• finger / hand fractures / pinning
• facial fractures
• cancer
• tendons / ligaments
• scar revisions
• ulcers
• frostbite

Plastic Surgery Trauma Outpatient Booking Department

The outpatient booking department books appointments for the Plastics Surgery Trauma Clinic only. This is not for laboratory booking.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program

This program is designed to support and comfort inpatients and families who have expereinced the loss of a baby due to t miscarriage, stillbirth, or early neonatal death. As well, this program supports and coordinates education, standardization of processes, documents, and support for our staff to be able to support families experiencing pregnancy loss.

Primary Stroke Centre

Primary Stroke Centre Emergency Departments are linked to Comprehensive Stroke Centres via TeleStroke for immediate consultation with a stroke neurologist. This specialist can view the patient and the CT images remotely. This allows real-time two-way assessment and management of stroke patients without having to be transported first.

Working with the Emergency Department doctor, the stroke neurologist can assess if the patient needs a clot-dissolving medicine to limit the effects of an acute stroke. They can also determine if the patient is a candidate for clot removal (Endovascular Thrombectomy - EVT) which is performed at the Comprehensive Stroke Centres.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transport to the nearest Primary or Comprehensive Stroke Centre in rural regions to improve timely accessibility for advanced stroke treatment.

Emergency Department staff in Non-Primary Stroke Hospitals/Centres know the criteria for the immediate transfer of stroke patients to the nearest Primary or Comprehensive Stroke Centre.

Recreation Therapy Services Acute Care Inpatient

In acute care, recreation therapists work with patients and families to identify strengths, values and goals to return to, or increase engagement in meaningful leisure, social, physical and community roles. They address leisure barriers, social isolation and inactivity due to acute illness, disability, chronic or progressive condition and promote optimal independence, self-management and quality of life.

Registration

Patient Registration registers:

• and pre-registers patients and collects demographic and financial information
• patients for inpatient admissions, ambulatory clinic appointment, and emergency department services

Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic

Provides assessment for people with functional limitations in two or more areas.

Rehabilitation Unit 35

The service helps clients and their families and / or caregivers to reach the best physical, emotional, thinking, and spiritual health possible. This program helps clients to function as independently as possible and within their own community.

Includes those with:

• stroke
• neurological conditions
• orthopaedic conditions
• post-traumatic conditions.

Patients participate in daily intensive rehabilitation therapy sessions based on their needs. Patients on Unit 35 require 24-hour nursing care in addition to their rehabilitation needs, but are medically stable.

Respiratory Therapy - Outpatients / Community

Services include:

• home oxygen assessments
• arterial blood gases (ABGs)
• respiratory education (Asthma & COPD)
• spirometry
• tobacco cessation
• artificial airway management
• trach change
• pulmonary rehabilitation

Seating Clinic Services - Adult

Assesses clients for commercial seating components to provide comfort, safety and independence.

The Clinic offers:

• commercial seating systems to clients with physical disabilities and complex needs
• education to caregivers and healthcare providers
• advanced knowledge in adaptive seating

Custom seating systems available to certain locations only. Please call the site for more information.

Social Work

Services may include:

• Conduct assessments and develop interventions to alleviate social and personal problems
• Identify needs and gaps and connect patients with community supports and resources
• Empower clients to cope and problem solve during or after injury, disease or illness
• Assist patients and families to navigate the healthcare system and address legal and financial issues impacting care
• Provide information/education on important resources and legislation (e.g., power of attorney, guardianship, child welfare, and Protection for Persons in Care)
• Provide support and resources to promote physical and mental wellbeing while also addressing social needs

Specialized Geriatric Services

Focuses on providing clinical consultation and education aimed at medical complexity, frailty and chronic disease, functional decline, cognitive impairment, dementia, delirium or falls in adults aged 65 and older

This service does not replace Seniors Mental Health, whose focus is behavioural and psychiatric issues.

Specialized Obstetric Services

Obstetrical services includes:

• antepartum (care during pregnancy)
• outpatient obstetrical assessment/triage
• obstetrical pre-admission clinic
• labour and delivery
• postpartum and newborn care
• Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Speech Language Pathology - Outpatients / Community

This service provides assessment and treatment for:

• communication
• rehabilitation
• fluency and swallowing disorders
• neurological / degenerative diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
• make sounds correctly / reduce stuttering
• thinking skills (like memory, problem solving, and verbal reasoning)

Services are available at outpatient hospital clinics, community health centres, patient's homes and continuing care / long term care centres.

Note: Services may vary by community - please call for more information.

Spiritual Care Services

Spiritual Care Staff and Volunteers

• come from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions
• offer a wealth of life experience
• great respect for people's differences and life challenges
• are caring and sensitive

Reasons You Might Like to Speak with a Spiritual Health Practitioner

• someone to pray with
• you are scared and just want someone to be with you and listen
• someone to contact your community clergy person to come and visit
• you are mourning a loss and would like to find supportive resources
• to have sacraments or rituals, such as a baptism, communion, anointing, or a blessing for yourself or a child
• you have spiritual questions you would like to explore with someone
• someone to sit with you in shared silence
• you are wondering about where God is because you feel like God is not listening to your prayers
• going to have surgery or an important medical procedure and would like someone to say a prayer with you or listen to you
• you would like to talk to someone who is not a physician or nurse, or is not somehow involved in your physical care Spiritual Care Services

Stress Echocardiography

Stress echocardiography is one of the most widely used tests in the assessment and diagnosis of heart disease

Stroke Early Supported Discharged Program

The Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) team helps clients return home from hospital earlier following a mild to moderate stroke. The (ESD) team provides a short-term, client-driven, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in the client's home and community environment, helping to ease the transition from hospital to home to community.

Stroke Outpatient Rehabilitation Team

Clients must be physically and cognitively able to participate in an active rehabilitation program:

• will participate in either a high intensity program of 2-3 attendances per week for up to 12 consecutive weeks, or a low intensity program of 1 attendance per week for up to 6 weeks
• must agree to attend the recommended therapy sessions per week per discipline involved
• should expect their progress in the program to be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure they are meeting program expectations

Stroke Prevention Clinic

Provides early assessment and intervention for patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke focusing on:

• lifestyle changes
• treating vascular risk factors
• diagnostic tests
• education
• pharmacotherapy
• accelerated referrals to Neurosurgeon where appropriate

Surgical Outpatient Department

Offers a range of outpatient services including:

• minor surgeries
• orthopedics, cast room
• gynecology
• urology
• plastics and plastic trauma
• otolaryngology

Surgical Services

Surgical Inpatient and Day Surgery services available.

• General Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Podiatry Surgery
• Ear / Nose / Throat Surgery
• Ophthalmology / Eye Surgery
• Dental / Oral Surgery
• Gynecological Surgery
• Urological Surgery

Note: Not all locations offer every surgical procedure.

Switchboard

These services include:

• answering incoming telephone calls
• transferring telephone calls and
• giving out authorized telephone numbers

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is an imaging test that captures images of soft tissue organs, blood vessels and tissues using high-frequency sound waves (no radiation). Ultrasound is also known as sonography.

Not all tests are offered at all sites. Call the location for more information.

Video Capsule Program

This service provides assessment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases or disorders and patient education.

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. A capsule endoscopy camera sits inside a vitamin-size capsule you swallow. As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.

Volunteer Resources

Our volunteer roles share a commitment to improving the quality of the patient and family experience.

Volunteers are:

• way-finders who help guide patients and families around our busy facilities,
• friendly visitors who spend time with our socially isolated patients,
• patient and family advisors who provide input and direction to AHS on numerous committees,
• supporters of our volunteer retail operations - where the proceeds are returned to AHS to provide patient care and comfort.

For general information about volunteering with AHS please visit our website.