Addiction and Mental Health - Virtual Opioid Dependency Program

Provides initiation and maintenance of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) medications and Designated Narcotic Drugs to people with opioid use disorder and helps them access services they need to live healthy lives.Opioid Agonist Treatment medications (ie. methadone, Suboxone®) are provided in all locations, Designated Narcotic Drugs (ie. hydromorphone) are provided in Narcotic Transition Services (NTS) locations. Patients are stabilized on medications under close medical supervision and evaluation of response to medication.

When they are properly prescribed and dispensed, a person on most of the OAT medication is able to function normally with no drowsiness and no withdrawal symptoms. In situations when a most of the OAT medications have not been effective in managing a person's opioid use disorder, Designated Narcotic Drugs can be used in the clinics that provide NTS.

Services available may include:

• ongoing support and monitoring (e.g. prescription management, medical follow up, urine testing, counselling and treatment planning)
• health, safety and risk reduction teaching and management
• source of information and expertise for community stakeholders on Opioid Agonist Treatment and the medications used
• links to community pharmacists
• links to other addictions treatment services
• links to other social and health support systems
• hepatitis and HIV screening
• Narcotic Transition Services (available at Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat)

Services are voluntary and confidential.

For more information, visit our website

Looking for additional Addiction & Mental Health (AMH) services visit AMH Programs & Services.

Addiction Helpline

The service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists. It operates 24 hour a day, seven days a week and is available to all Albertans.

Advance Care Planning Goals of Care Designation

Advance care planning is a way to help you think about, talk about and document your wishes for health care. It is a process that can assist you in making health care decisions now and for the future.

To learn more visit our website

Additional Information:

• Health Professionals

AHS Staff Portal

Provides access to:

• AHS Staff Email Login
• AHS Staff Directory
• AHS Staff Scheduling
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• e-People
• Forms
• iExpense
• Insite (AHS Intranet)
• IT Service Desk & Solution Centre
• MyApps (Citrix Applications)
• MyLearningLink
• MySafetyNet
• Password Resets
• Physician & Family Support Program
• Policies
• Top Searches

Vist www.ahs.ca/staff

Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program

Getting screened regularly, following up on abnormal Pap test results and getting the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine are the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Services include:

• working with healthcare providers to support women, aged 25 to 69, in getting cervical cancer screening across the province.
• offering additional testing in Pap test samples with minor cell changes (positive low-grade results), called reflex HPV testing, to help decide what follow-up is needed.
• providing cervical cancer screening information and education to eligible women and healthcare providers.
• sending screening invitations, result recalls and follow-up letters to eligible women.

For more information, visit our website.

Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

Getting screened regularly is the best way to find colorectal cancer early when treatment is more effective.

Services include:

• working with healthcare providers to support Albertans aged 50 to 74 in getting colorectal cancer screening across the province.
• providing colorectal cancer screening information and education to eligible Albertans and healthcare providers.
• providing eligible Albertans aged 50 to 74 the option to order a free FIT kit online or by phone and have it mailed to their home.
• sending FIT result letters to eligible individuals.

For more information, visit our website.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Privacy Office

AHS is subject to Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) and Health Information Act (HIA) legislation and must protect your personal and health information and when applicable may investigate privacy incidents involving your personal information or your health information.

Personal Information includes, but is not limited to, employee demographics, benefits, payroll, employment and education history and unique identifiers (e.g. SIN, driver’s license, employee ID).

Health Information includes, but is not limited to, patient name, DOB, PHN, ULI, healthcare provider, diagnostic and treatment information.

AHS’s Privacy Office is responsible for processing information requests under FOIP, answering general privacy related questions under FOIP and HIA, and when applicable, investigating suspected and confirmed privacy breaches involving AHS’s facilities and employees as it relates to your personal information or health information.

The following queries are not handled by the AHS Privacy Office:

• requests from former / current employees for personal information - call HR Contact Centre
• requests for health information regarding an AHS program or service - contact the service area directly or call the health information management department at the facility.
• requests for name / address change, update first with Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. You are encouraged to validate your information when you seek a health care service to ensure that all systems are up to date.

Alberta Health Services eSIM Provincial Simulation Program

eSIM (educate, Simulate, Innovate, Motivate) uses simulation to generate knowledge, improve individual and team competencies, as well as, system performance. In simulation, clinical events are recreated to engage individuals, teams, systems and communities in an interactive, immersive and meaningful “real-world” experience, often through self-reflection and guided facilitation.

eSIM's team of simulation consultants, technologists, and assistants support multiple simulation centres and satellite simulation spaces provincially. Our program also has the unique ability to reach remote areas of the province via mobile simulation and an innovative virtually facilitated simulation program.

For more information about eSIM visit our website.

Alberta Kidney Care

Renal Services is comprised of two programs, the Alberta Kidney Care - North (AKC) and the Alberta Kidney Care - South (AKC-S).

Services include:

• peritoneal dialysis
• chronic and acute hemodialysis
• home, night-time, and self-care hemodialysis
• kidney transplants
• clinics that diagnose and treat kidney disease

For more information visit our website.

Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung cancer screening is done by a low-dose CT scan at an AHS site.

Alberta Newborn Screening Program

Healthcare providers work with parents to screen for certain treatable conditions (metabolic, endocrine, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, severe combined immunodeficiency and spinal muscular atrophy).

• newborn blood spot screening helps your doctor or midwife find conditions that can be treated early to prevent health problems, improve your baby's health and may even save your baby's life. It’s the best way to tell if your baby is at risk of having a certain treatable condition that you, your doctor or your midwife might not know about
• it’s best to have the newborn blood spot screen completed at the hospital when your baby is between 24 and 72 hours old, before your baby goes home. If it is not completed at the hospital, it will be completed at a home visit, clinic visit or at a lab in your community
• your doctor or midwife will have results by the time your baby is two weeks old

For more information visit our website.

Alberta Virtual Chronic Pain Program

For patients looking to better understand their pain, connect with others living with pain, and seeking strategies on managing pain beyond the use of medications. An interactive program led by health providers with peer support incorporated throughout, as well as post-completion follow-up for up to 1 year. This program offers:

• a 1-hour session each week for 6 weeks (virtual group education and self-management program)
• highly encouraged 1-hour peer support group sessions each week
• opportunity to connect with others living with pain

This program doesn’t offer:

• diagnosis
• medical intervention
• one on one care
• prescription advice or renewals

AlbertaQuits Helpline

A free, confidential telephone counselling service for smokers and spit tobacco users.

Calls are answered by a trained cessation counsellor who can:

• help you develop a quit plan
• offer information and support or refer you to services in your community

If you are looking for help for other addictions or mental health concerns call the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-332-2322.

AlbertaQuits Online

Preparing to quit is the most important thing you can do on your quit smoking journey - AlbertaQuits can help!

AlbertaQuits will help you get ready to stop smoking. It’s all about finding the right information at the right time. You’ll learn what to expect and how to prepare for road blocks on your journey to successful quitting.

Better Choices, Better Health®

These free six-week group workshops are for Albertans 18 years and older who have or support someone with a long-term (chronic) health condition. Workshops are available in person and online.

Workshops are led by people who have experience with a long-term health condition of their own. Together, participants and leaders learn from each other by sharing their experiences and exploring possible solutions.

Learn More and Discuss:

• managing symptoms like pain, fatigue, stress
• talking to loved ones, health team & workplace about your health and needs
• dealing with difficult feelings
• ways to eat healthy and stay active
• tools for problem-solving & setting realistic plans

BCBH®-Chronic Pain: If chronic pain is your main concern, this worshop may be right for you. Learn about the topics above, as well as:

• pacing yourself
• treatments for chronic pain
• Moving Easy Program (gentle exercise program)

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the program, please contact your local zone coordinator (see Contact Details section).

To register or learn more, visit the website.

Catch a Break Program

Catch a Break is a prevention program offered by Alberta Health Services through Health Link, and Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network. Patients who have had a fracture that could be associated with osteoporosis are identified, based on information from emergency departments and cast clinics. Patients who are 50 years of age and older who have had a recent bone fracture receive information in the mail about bone health and osteoporosis. Health Link staff will then follow up with a phone call to encourage individuals to talk to their doctors about their bone health to determine if underlying bone weakness may have contributed to the individual’s fracture. An additional follow-up call is scheduled for 12 months. The goal of the program is to help Albertans prevent future bone fractures caused by bone weakness that may be related to osteoporosis.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Harm Reduction

Staff work with partner in AHS, the Goverrnment of Alberta and the community to meet the needs of populations experiencing inequities.

Clinical Ethics Service

Offers support to make hard choices about healthcare when people's beliefs and values are in conflict. This provincial-wide service is for patients, their families, healthcare providers, and administrators. Examples include when patients and family members have a hard decision to make about treatment or healthcare providers must deal with a situation that causes moral distress.
The service offers a confidential consult, which may include:

• simple talks
• guided talks with teams
• help making decisions
• help with complex situations and ethical challenges
• organizational ethics

Communications

Responds to all media requests and public inquiries and supports all departments in Alberta Health Services (AHS) by offering:

• media relations
• strategic communications
• innovation and technology support
• web, Intranet, and production services
• employee engagement
• marketing and creative services
• publications and reports

COVID-19 Information

Helping protect you and your loved ones against COVID-19. Learn how to stay healthy and safe. Have a question about COVID-19?

• Caring for yourself or a loved one
• Contact tracing & close contacts
• Health service changes
• Isolation
• Parenting concerns
• Patients & residents family support & visitation
• Public health measures
• Symptoms
• Testing
• Vaccine - appointment booking online / by phone / with participating pharmacies
• Variants

To get up-to-date information, visit ahs.ca/COVID-19.

Resources are available in other languages.

Dementia Advice

Dementia Advice provides support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, including tele-triage, health advice, and available resources. A Health Link nurse assesses clients needs and provides advice for immediate concerns. When needed, clients are referred to a specialized dementia nurse for additional advice.

Specific services include:

• short term psychosocial support
• dementia related education
• facilitates linkages to community resources
• referrals to services such as Alzheimer Society and Home Care

Do Bugs Need Drugs?

Provides education, print materials, and web-based resources for healthcare providers, children, parents, schools, daycares, seniors groups, workplaces, and the public.

The main messages of the program are:

1. Handwashing is the best way to stop infections from spreading.
2. Bacteria and viruses are different. Both can cause respiratory infections, but antibiotics don't work against viruses like colds and influenza.
3. Antibiotic resistance is a problem. Use antibiotics wisely to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Resources:

• workshops for healthcare professionals and students
• employee group education sessions
• authorized resources for Alberta teachers
• teaching kit for Grade 2 students
• teaching kit for child care children and staff
• teaching kit for assisted living centres
• posters
• handwashing signs and stickers
• handwashing posters available in Blackfoot, Cree, Dënesųłı̨né, French, Saulteaux, and Stoney Nakoda
• pamphlets
• Guide to Wise Use of Antibiotics (20-page guide for respiratory infections) available in Arabic, Blackfoot, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Cree, Dënesųłı̨né, French, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Stoney Nakoda, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Urdu and Vietnamese
• Healthy Hands at Work: Employer Handbook (20 pages) and Worker Handbook (12 pages) about preventing infections in the workplace and hand hygiene and cleaning/disinfecting products

Emergency Medical Services - Inter-facility Transport

Provide medical services and transport for inpatients who need transportation and medical care.

Emergency Medical Services - Patient Concerns and Commendations

Call if you have questions, concerns, or commendations about Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

For other questions:

• Finance Department - Billing Cash and Collections | Alberta Health Services

Emergency Medical Services Palliative and End of Life Care Assess Treat and Refer Program

This service is for both adults and pediatrics, the only difference between the 2 is peds has a Specialized Treatment Protocol (SPT) that can be accessed by the front line paramedics in the home as well a dispatch Location Of Interest (LOI) form. This service links primary and palliative care resources in the community to collaboratively manage patients in a symptom crisis.

The program may be initiated by paramedics, who arrive in the home after a 911 call from the patient or family, or by a clinician, who has assessed the patient (in the home or over the phone) and determines additional support is needed on an urgent basis.

Over 50% of patients having a crisis related to their life limiting illness are recognized through routine 911 call and front line paramedics assess the patient to be appropriate for the program and will attempt to make contact with the patient's home/palliative care team. If these teams are unavailable the paramedic will contact the 24/7 on call palliative physician through RAAPID. If all of the above teams are not available the paramedics can call On-line Medical Consultation (OLMC), a 24/7 ED physician available to all front line paramedics.

The program brings an interdisciplinary team directly to the patient. The frontline paramedic crew and the clinician work together, with the patient and the patient’s family, to provide care that aligns with the patient's wishes and Goals of Care Designation (GCD). They also have access to an on-call physician to determine the best treatment.

If possible, and at the patient’s wishes they will be supported to remain in their home. However, paramedics will provide transport to the emergency department, if desired or required.

For further information see our website.

Environmental Public Health Program

Submit an online complaint or request, or contact us. For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) Program - Orthopedic and Spine

When referring to FAST, referring providers can choose a next-available surgeon with the shortest waitlist, a specific surgeon, clinic or site, or an out of zone provider. FAST receives the surgical referrals, reviews them for completeness and duplication, and then sends them to appropriate surgeons for triage and booking.

FAST is being implemented in phases, with all surgical specialties being added to all Zones over time.

For more information about FAST, go to ahs.ca/FAST.

Finance Department - Accounts Payable

Responsible to:

• confirm that goods or services have been received and that invoice amounts are accurate
• pay invoices
• process all Alberta Health Services (AHS) employee expenses
• make sure invoices and expense claims from vendors and AHS employees are complete and accurate

Related Services:

• Finance Department - Billing Cash and Collections

Financial Shared Services - Billing Cash and Collections

Billing performed includes inpatient, outpatient, ambulance, and other medical and nonmedical services. Cash handling includes such as bank account set up and deposit functions and floats.

Find A Doctor

Not sure how to find a family doctor? There are 3 ways to help connect you with a family doctor.

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (online tool)
• Alberta Find a Doc
• Health Link

For more information on how to access these options, visit Find a Doctor.

GLA:D Canada in Alberta

GLA:D® is an eight-week program offered in a group setting with other Albertans living with osteoarthritis (OA). There are two education sessions followed by 12 supervised exercise sessions (twice / week).

The program is designed to teach Albertans about OA with an aim to reduce symptoms through a targeted exercises program. The program roll-out is led by the Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network (BJH SCN).

More information can be found by visiting the BJH SCN website, the GLA:D® Canada website or by viewing the GLA:D® Canada overview video.

Some service locations may be offered by a contracted service provider and may have a cost for the service. Call the specific service location for more information regarding cost and specific program details.

Health Advisory Councils

Enhances and develops partnerships between communities and Alberta Health Services (AHS). Each council is geographically-based with 10 to 15 volunteer members that are committed to their communities and the healthcare system.

Health Advisory Council members:

• give feedback about what is working well in the healthcare system and suggest areas to improve
• talk to people in communities about what is being said about healthcare services in their area
• think about quality and safety reports from AHS and find issues or trends in certain areas
• give feedback to AHS about healthcare services and delivery

Health Link 811

Health Link provides a number of clinical services including tele-triage and health advice, navigation services and online content support for all Albertans by calling 811 or by using one of its companion web products, MyHealth.Alberta.ca or InformAlberta.ca. The specific services include:

• Symptom-based nurse triage and health information
• Covid-19 Vaccine Booking
• System navigation
• Dementia Advice Service
• Catch-A-Break Osteoporosis screening
• AlbertaQuits Tobacco Helpline
• Addictions information and referral
• Central Access to specialized services
• Information on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV / STIs).
• Referrals to clinical services including and Dietitian Services and Rehab Advice Line

Health Link Dietitian Service

Health Link dietitians can help determine if the patient needs further assessment or nutrition care from a dietitian. If the patient needs additional support, the Health Link dietitian can:

• Provide information about group nutrition workshop and classes that are facilitated by AHS dietitians. See Find Workshops & Classes for more information
• Refer the patient to an outpatient dietitian service. To find out how to access a dietitian in your area, visit ahs.ca/Nutrition.

Examples of nutrition-related topics include:

• Healthy eating
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding or infant formula
• Feeding your toddler or young child
• Health conditions such as: Diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, kidney disease, celiac disease, irritable bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, cancer, obesity, malnutrition, long-COVID-19
• Eating after discharge from hospital
• Eating after surgery
• Weight gain or loss
• Digestive symptoms such as: Heart burn, constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting
• Nutrition supplements to provide extra protein and calories
• Vitamin and mineral supplements
• Food allergies
• Other

Healthier Together

The website connects Albertans to useful resources and strategies they can use right now to reduce the risk of cancer, or detect cancer earlier.

Provides the following:

• prevention
• education
• health promotion
• cancer screening
• cancer prevention

For more information, visit our website.

Healthy Schools

Develops partnerships with stakeholders to affect policy change, leverage resources, increase capacity, and plan programs in Alberta to improve the health of youth. A comprehensive school health approach is used, which includes these initiatives:

• Health promotion facilitators partner with school authorities across the province to promote healthy eating, being active, and positive mental health among students
• The comprehensive school health initiative looks at school health in Alberta by understanding the state of health in schools, supporting consistent messages and resources related to school health, and creating partnerships with internal and external stakeholders

Heart Safe Community - Public Access to Defibrillation

The PAD Program promotes Heart Safe Communities in Alberta by; encouraging Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public areas; recognizing sudden cardiac arrest, the importance of early Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of AEDs.

The website provides a place for people and organizations to learn about AEDs and register them in the provincial database.

Services include:

• a free provincial database to register AEDs (includes location and who maintains)
• email notifications for battery or pad expiry dates
• monthly AED Inspection reminders
• provides information and support on the topics of Cardiac Arrest, CPR, AED's and more
• lets 911 EMS dispatchers know where AEDs are located

Indigenous Wellness Core

The Indigenous Wellness Core (IWC) delivers health services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Alberta. The IWC works with Indigenous peoples, communities and other partners to provide services to Indigenous patients that honour their culture, beliefs and identities.

Our work is guided by five important areas:

• Caring for our patients with respect and dignity
• Improving access to health services
• Treating people as unique individuals
• Managing addictions and mental health
• Staying up to date on the health of Indigenous Albertans

We do this by connecting with Indigenous communities, leaders, decision-makers, and most importantly, our patients. In addition, we are guided by the advice of our Wisdom Council, a group of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Albertans who first came together in September 2012. Their goal is to help ensure that all Indigenous Albertans receive the best possible health care.

For more detailed information, contact the Indigenous Health Program in your zone:

• Indigenous Wellness Core - North Zone
• Indigenous Wellness Core - South Zone

Individual Tobacco Counselling

Visit or call your local pharmacy or family doctor to find out if they provide these services. There are also a number of certified tobacco educators across the province that provide individual and group smoking cessation counselling. Call the AlbertaQuits Helpline to find a counsellor near you.

If you are looking for help for other addictions or mental health concerns call the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline.

Interpretation & Translation Services

On-demand over-the-phone professional medical interpretation is provided by a contracted vendor and is available 24/7 in 240 languages across all AHS sites and programs.

Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) is an additional mode of in-person interpretation available in many locations across the province.

Medical Assistance in Dying

Alberta Health Services has developed a MAID Care Coordination Service to act as a single point of contact for patients, families and health care providers.
MAID is not an urgent service and the process can take varying lengths of time depending on your circumstance. To qualify for this service, you must meet all the eligibility criteria set out by federal law.

For further information:

• Medical Assistance in Dying
• All End of Life Options - Palliative Care

Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools Initiative

MHCB (Mental Health Capacity Building) is funded and led by AHS but contracted to school divisions and organizations to provide the services.

Through year round, group programming, based on research and best practice, MHCB promotes mental, emotional, and social well-being, and protects against negative outcomes by building resilience through skill development.
Some examples of universal programming include:

• AHS Mental Health Kits
• Second Step
• Kimochis
• Mind Up
• Mental Health Literacy/Go To Educator
• Mindful Schools

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

Mental Health Help Line

The line is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
The service provides:

• crisis support
• mental health or addiction screening and assessment over the phone
• general information about a mental health or addiction topic
• information about local service options for addiction or mental health and how to access them
• strategies people can use at home to support their emotional well-being

Mouth Care Training for Care Providers

Anyone looking after an adult who is unable to keep their mouth clean and healthy can access educational resources.

Find information related to:

• understanding mouth health and healthy aging
• selecting dental products
• caring for natural teeth
• caring for dentures
• handling challenging behaviours
• knowing the difference between a healthy and unhealthy mouth

MyAHS Connect Proxy Access

MyAHS Connect also allows you to make appointments online. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. MyAHS Connect Proxy Access

If your child is younger than 12 years old, you can apply for proxy access to their MyAHS Connect account at any time using the process outlined below.

Note: If your child is older than 12, proxy access is likely to be granted only if your child has complex or special healthcare needs*.

MyHealth Records

MyHealth Records is an online tool that lets Albertans 14 years of age or older see some of their health information from Alberta Netcare, the provincial electronic health record.

Creating a MyHealth Record account lets you:

• access your COVID-19 test results, as well as results for your child, as soon as they're ready
• see medicines you received from community pharmacies
• see most immunizations you received in Alberta
• see common lab test results
• keep journals to track your mood, sleep, weight and fitness goals
• upload and track information from your personal health devices, including blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, and fitness trackers that are supported by My Personal Records
• print out reports to share with your healthcare providers
• share your record with someone you trust
• safely exchange messages with your healthcare providers, provided they are using the same messaging tool
• add and store other personal health information

Getting Started

Create your MyHealth Records account in 2 steps.

• Get a Alberta.ca Account
• Create your MyHealth Records account

COVID-19 Vaccine Record

Use the express system to access your card-sized vaccine record without an account

Get your vaccine card

Learn more, visit MyHealthRecords on MyHealth.Alberta.ca.

MyHealth.Alberta.ca

Built by the Alberta Gove​rnment and Alberta Health Services to give Albertans one place to go for health information they can trust. Healthcare experts across the province make sure the information is correct, up to date, and written for people who live in Alberta.

MyHealth.Alberta.ca is home to valuable, easy-to-understand health information and tools made for Albertans, including information about:

• health conditions
• healthy living
• medications
• tests and treatments

There are also:

• educational videos
• symptom checkers
• emergency phone numbers
• a healthcare locator (e.g., a family doctor near you)

Learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca.

Nutrition Myths and Cancer

A Registered Dietitian helps cancer patients and their families navigate through diet information available from sources such as the internet, media, friends and family.
This class compliments the Power of Nutrition During Cancer Treatment class via Zoom.

Opioid Use Disorder - Telephone Consultation

Opioid dependence is a growing clinical and public health problem throughout Canada, including our province. Practitioners managing persons with opioid use disorder, where there are no in-house supports for opioid use disorder (OUD) management now have access to expert consultation with an opioid use disorder physician specialist over the phone.

This telephone consult service is for primary care physicians and prescribers seeking advice regarding:

• initiating and managing opioid agonist therapy
• prescribing drugs like buprenorphine / naloxone, methadone or naloxone
• treating patients with existing opioid use disorder
• managing opioid withdrawal and consideration of opioid agonist therapy

This consult service will not provide advice on pain management using opioids or alternatives.

Primary care providers wanting to consult a pain management specialist may benefit from resources listed by the Calgary Pain Management Centre.

Outpatient COVID Treatment Program

This outpatient service prevents hospitalization and adverse outcomes of mild to moderate COVID infection in at risk populations, including:

• transplant recipients
• people who are immunocompromised
• people living in Long Term Care facilities

Treatments include:

• Paxlovid
• Remdesevir

Patients will receive treatment in the zone they live in, travel may be required.

Parking Services

Provides pay parking services at a variety of lots at each site. Please contact the individual site office for detailed information.

Free visitor parking is available at all rural hospitals.

For more information about parking maps, paying a ticket or appealing a ticket visit the website.

Patient Relations Department

This service is where patients, family members, and the public may express complaints about the health services they receive through Alberta Health Services (AHS). It also receives suggestions, and compliments and acts as a resource for both patients and AHS staff and practitioners during the Patient Concerns Process. Staff and practitioners may be involved with:

• receiving and acknowledging a complaint
• obtaining information from the complainant about their complaint
• explaining the patient concerns resolution process and identifying the next steps to the complainant
• assisting with coordination and communication of the patient feedback process with the public, staff, practitioners and management
• acting as an ongoing contact for the complainant, including updates to the patient concerns resolution process
• documentation of the process and outcome of the complaint
• the Patient Relations Department, led by the Patient Concerns Officer and the Executive Director of Patient Relations, is available to work with patients and AHS leaders to resolve a complaint until all possible avenues within AHS have been explored.

The following options are available for resolving a complaint:

Option 1

Discuss your concern with your care team. Because your care team knows you best, discussing your concern with them may resolve the issue right away. You may also ask the manager of the program or service area for help.

Option 2

Contact the Patient Relations Department by telephone, fax or mail:

• Online feedback form
• Telephone: 1-855-550-2555
• Fax: 1-877-871-4340
• Mailing address only: c/o Patient Relations 10030 107 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4

Once we hear from you, a Patient Relations Representative will be in touch with you by phone within three business days. This person will clarify the details of your concern, and staff will work with you to resolve the concern.

Pediatric Rehabilitation

Alberta Health Services provides pediatric rehabilitation in community, outpatient and specialized rehabilitation settings. This website offers a search for services, FAQs, and webinars on a variety of topics.

Pediatric Rehabilitation Universal and Targeted Services

It's common to have questions about child and youth development - from how they grow to how they talk, think, move, and interact with others. Alberta Health Services is offering free webinars for parents, caregivers and people working with children and youth. Healthcare professionals will share information, tips and resources to help you gain knowledge and build confidence. The webinars are available on various dates and times. Some sessions are recorded and available on demand. Go to the webpage to see all topics.

Poison & Drug Information Service

Services may include:

• emergency advice about poisonings
• poison education and prevention

For more information visit the Poison & Drug Information Service

Poison Centre

What to do when you call:

• Have the poison container with you when you call
• Be prepared to answer important questions
• Listen carefully to instructions
• Ask the Information Specialist to repeat anything you don’t understand
• Follow the Information Specialist's advice

What to expect when you call:

Information Specialists will want to know:

• name
• gender
• weight
• what was swallowed
• how much was swallowed
• information from the container label
• if you've had anything to eat or drink since swallowing the poison

Policy Services

Manages all aspects of the policy document lifecycle while accountable for the Policy Development Framework and all aspects of the policy development process within Alberta Health Services (AHS). Specifically accomplishing this by:

• identifying clinical and corporate policy needs
• assessing risk and prioritization
• working in partnership with operational leaders and subject matter experts
• consulting and engaging internal and external stakeholders
• facilitating a consistent and systematic approach to policy development and records retention
• creating and maintaining archival and library services for all AHS governance documents

Population Health Analytics

The focus of the team of population health assessment analysts is on regular monitoring of and reporting on the health status of Alberta residents.

The building blocks for the picture of health status of people living in the province comes from Information about people including:

• demographic data
• vital statistics data
• health utilization data (emergency department and hospital)
• survey data
• health inequality

The data enables us to identify areas where actions may be taken and/or policies implemented that would improve the overall health of the population.

For more information about Surveillance and Health Status Assessment visit our website.

Power of Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

This class teaches people with cancer about eating healthy to help them stay strong during their treatment.

The class includes information about:

• staying at a healthy body weight during cancer treatments
• how foods can help manage the side effects of cancer treatments

You’ll also be given nutrition handouts and be able to speak with a dietitian.

Prehabilitation Program

Prehabilitation (Prehab) is about actively preparing you for your surgery. These 4 areas are our focus:

• Eating Well: Knowing what foods will help your body prepare and recover
• Living Well: Developing habits to improve health and wellbeing
• Being Active: Moving more, building strength and participating in activities you enjoy
• Feeling Ready: Managing stress and daily routines before and after surgery

Prehabilitation helps you prepare your body and mind for surgery. It gives you support and information to help you:

• Feel stronger
• Reduce feelings of worry
• Go home from the hospital sooner
• Heal and recover more quickly
• Get back to doing what is important to you sooner

Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Program

PChAD (Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Program) is for legal guardians of children / youth under the age of 18 years who can apply to the Provincial Court of Alberta, Family Court for a PChAD protection order. If the court agrees, your child will be admitted to a Protective Safe House (PSH) for up to ten days, with a possible extension of up to five days. PSH's are located in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Grande Prairie.

While in the Protective Safe House, your child will undergo detoxification and stabilization as well as an assessment by an AHS Addiction and Mental Health Counsellor. Parents / legal guardians are expected to participate in programming at the PSH.

If a judge grants a PChAD Protection Order, parents / legal guardians will be able to request a bed at a PSH for their child. A bed will be placed on hold as soon as possible after a request is made; however, beds are not always immediately available. PChAD is not a crisis service, and admissions are carefully planned and coordinated.

Transportation to the PSH is the responsibility of the parent / legal guardian, however parent / legal guardians can request in their application to court for assistance from police to apprehend and transport their child to a PSH. It is the parent / legal guardian's responsibility to pick up their child from the PSH at the end of their stay. If unable to pick up their child, they must arrange for a designated adult to pick them up.

For additional information and resources about the PChAD program, call the 24-hour Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 and / or see our AHS webpage. You can attend a PChAD pre-application information session with an authorized addiction counsellor at your local Addiction Services office.

Provincial Injury Prevention

Injuries affect all Albertans regardless of age, gender, race, or economic status and are the leading cause of death for Albertans one to 44 years of age. Injured Albertans suffer direct impacts ranging from temporary discomfort to severe disability and death. However, injuries can also have ripple effects that impact families and communities across Alberta.

Alberta’s leading causes of injury include falls, transportation-related injury, unintentional poisonings, suicide and violence.

The good news is that most injuries are preventable. By collaborating with partners, focusing on population health, attending to health equity, and managing risk and protective factors across the lifespan, injuries can be reduced and prevented where people grow, live, work and play.

Learn more by visiting Injury Prevention.

Provincial Palliative and End-of-Life Care

The Provincial Palliative and End-of-Life Care website is for Albertans -- people who need care, families, clinicians, and care providers. The information has an Alberta focus and is designed to be easy to understand and simple to find. Here we offer:

• a quick and easy way to find palliative and end-of-life care information and services
• links to organizations, groups, and services in Alberta that provide palliative and end-of-life care
• real-life stories from patients, families, and healthcare providers
• information for patients and caregivers that's been approved by Albertan experts
• clinical information for healthcare providers
• information on provincial palliative and end-of-life care programs and initiatives that support patients, families and health care providers
• listings for education, workshops, conferences, and online learning

Provincial POWER Program

Provides virtual care for people with new broken bones and concerns about bone health or osteoporosis with the aim to prevent future fractures. Offers a digital remote service that assesses and investigates patients' bone health, and provides a personalized bone health care treatment plan developed by nurses and physicians. Program elements may include:

• Bone densitometry scan
• Blood tests
• Medication initiation
• Education surrounding nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modifications for bone health promotion
• Referral to clinical or community services

QuitCore

QuitCore is a FREE group support program that provides Albertans (18+); with the tools and skills they need to quit using tobacco. The program consists of six 90-minute sessions over a period of up to nine weeks at various locations around the province. Join a group in your community to share your stories, learn new coping strategies and celebrate milestones together.

RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information & Destination)

RAAPID works to:

• facilitate provider to provider consultations for advice or patient transfer acceptance
• facilitate the right care at the right place, using real time capacity information
• facilitate and coordinate the movement of patients to higher, equal and lower levels of care
• If you have questions please email us.

Information for health professional is available on our website.

Rehabilitation Advice Line

The service can:

• assess your rehabilitation needs over the phone
• speak to parents, guardians or caregivers about a child’s development or well-being
• give advice on activities and exercises that help with physical, functional, or developmental concerns
• provide strategies to manage the day-to-day activities affected by these concerns.
• link you to rehabilitation services

The Rehabilitation Advice Line cannot:

• book and manage your physiotherapy appointments

Have a physical concern & need physiotherapy? Visit ahs.ca/physio.

For concerns unrelated to rehabilitation, please call:

• your physician, pharmacist about medication questions
• 811 or physician about significant pain, or regarding worsening symptoms

Sexual Assault Healthcare Provider Consult Line

Healthcare providers call this line for advice and guidance about sexual assault medical and forensic response services including:

• exams
• testing
• treatment
• evidence collection

Customized options for care are discussed with the healthcare provider with an aim to allow clients to receive medical and forensic care in their home communities as much as possible / desired.

Staying Healthy as We Age

Life changes as we age, as do the needs of our bodies. This course will take you through nutrition, staying active, and social activities that can help you stay healthy as you age. This class will be anything but boring! Attend in comfortable clothes and be prepared to move throughout. We recommend attending in a space with room to move, if possible.

STEMI / Vital Heart Response Program

The STEMI / Vital Heart Response programs provide advice and urgent emergency care for STEMI (ST Segment Elevated MI) patients who present with chest pain and total blockage of a coronary artery. This is a true medical emergency, representing the deadliest type of heart attack. The critical relationship of restoring blood flow and chance of survival in patients can be measured in minutes. With the 2 key programs available patients presenting with STEMI are assessed right away and in consultation with Interventional Cardiologists in Calgary and Edmonton. Patients may be treated on site using clot busting medications and / or transferred to a care centre that can perform advanced procedures to open the artery.

STI Centralized Services

Offers support to health professionals for care of sexually transmitted infections:

• testing
• diagnosis
• treatment
• provincially funded medication access
• public health reporting requirements

For STI speciality clinics, refer to the following:

• Calgary Zone: Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic
• Edmonton Zone: Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic
• North Zone: Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Program

For more information visit:

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Teaching Sexual Health

Teaching Sexual Health offers evidence-based sexual health information for teachers, educators and parents.
The teacher portal includes information, lesson plans and teaching strategies for teachers to increase their knowledge, comfort, and capacity to teach the human sexuality curriculum. The teacher portal is an Alberta Education authorized resource. Free online teacher workshops and webinars are provided throughout the school year.
The parent portal provides parents with sexual health information for children birth up to 18 years of age. It has tips to increase communication between parents and children, and other information about sexual and reproductive health.

To learn more visit our website.

Text4Hope

Text4Hope, a free service providing three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based text messages, written by mental health therapists. Albertans simply subscribe to receive ongoing supportive content.

Text4Hope-Addiction Support and Text4Hope-Cancer Care are also available and designed to help Albertans dealing with psychological issues related to addiction and cancer issues.

For additional information about this program, visit www.ahs.ca/text4hope.

Tuberculosis Program

This service provides services for the following referral types:

• Active TB suspected / TB treatment
• Contact investigation & follow-up
• Immigration screening
• LTBI screening & treatment
• Other screening: transplant, immunosuppressed, LTC, employment, corrections

For additional information on Tuberculosis visit: myhealth.alberta.ca

Virtual Health

AHS Virtual Health’s vision is “Delivering Safe Quality Virtual Care – Anytime, Anywhere”. The service works together with clinical programs and AHS partners to add technology into their daily workflow in order to deliver health services when the clinician(s) and/or patient are separated by distance. This improves access and reduces barriers to patient care across Alberta and beyond.

Virtual care may be provided using telephone, video, messaging, or email.

For more information visit ahs.ca/virtualhealth.

Weight Management Adult Community Program

This program provides weight management education and support to patients and health care professionals.
Patient services include:

• Weight Management Group Education Workshop Series
• Weight Management Information and Advice Line
• Post Bariatric Surgery (Information and Support)

Healthcare professional services include:

• Information and advice on patients' self-management of obesity and overweight and treatment options
• Education Workshops

Community services include:

• Education sessions - currently onlinegement of obesity and overweight and treatment options

Additional information:

• Resources and Workshops for Professionals

Well on Your Way- Helping Youth Transition to Adult Healthcare

This website contains information and resources for youth, parents and caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

website: Well on Your Way