Addiction and Mental Health - Community Services, Adult

Individuals utilizing services will often have complex needs, with some needing more intensive support and treatment; but in either case are able to live independently or with minimal support in the community. Care is coordinated by a mental health provider and / or addiction counselor. Goal directed services are tailored to the needs of individual clients. Length of treatment is mutually determined between client and provider.

Addiction and Mental Health - Community Services, Child, and Adolescent

Clients who require services from clinicians that have experience in child and adolescent mental health are the focus of these services. Most children or youth engaging in treatment will be provided with a set of time-limited, goal-directed interventions. Clinicians in these services work collaboratively with primary care providers (family physicians and PCN’s) so that clients’ ongoing care is followed through at the primary care level.

This service is provided by AHS and AHS contracted service providers.

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.

Breathe Easy Program - Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Clients learn:

• how to use their medicine properly
• how to cope with feeling such as fear, anger, or stress
• how to make healthy food choices
• why exercise is important

Clients also take part in exercise sessions that include:

• a warm-up and stretching
• breathing techniques
• muscle strengthening and free weights
• walking
• stationary bicycle and treadmill

Visit our website

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.

Child Health Clinics Community

This service provides:

• immunization to infants and preschool children
• health education/counselling/support for parents
• health assessment and screening to identify health concerns
• referral to healthcare providers and community resources

Colonoscopy

Provides examination of the large intestine to assess or confirm polyps / growths, inflammation, or areas of bleeding in the colon. Direct visualization allows for biopsies, removal of polyps and photographs.

View patient education videos, visit ahs.ca/colonoscopy.

Community Audiology Services

Services include:

• standard hearing assessment and follow-up for anyone 6 months and older
• follow-up recommendations and management of hearing loss

Clinic doesn't offer hearing aid services. These services are accessed privately.

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.

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

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

A community screening site will call and offer a hearing screening appointment for your baby soon after their birth.

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.

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.

Environmental Public Health - Water Sample Bottle Pick-up and Drop-off

Drinking water, beaches and swimming pool water can be tested. Chemical water sampling testing is available and looks for common chemicals and trace metals found in water. Bacteria water sampling tests water samples for indicator bacteria to ensure water is safe.

For additional information,

• Environmental Public Health - Drinking Water
• Sample Your Water - Environmental Public Health
• Testing your drinking water in Alberta

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.

Gastroscopy

In using a thin flexible tube with it's own light source, the upper digestive tract is examined. The doctor focusses on the lining of the esophagus, stomach and upper portion of the small intestine.

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 - Adult

Provides care to people who need to have a general surgery procedure, including:

• small and large bowel surgery
• gallbladder
• mastectomy or breast surgery
• hernia repairs
• thyroid surgery
• hemorrhoid
• wound care

Gift Shop

A gift shop available for clients, families, and staff. All proceeds from the sales are donated back to the hospital in support of patient care, comfort and education.

Call individual site to confirm their accepted forms of payment.

Gynecology Day Surgery

Cares for women who are inpatients or in day surgery with gynecology concerns. Includes:

• urogynecology
• gynecology / cancer concerns
• reproductive health
• women’s endocrine and infertility concerns

Health for Two

Health for Two (Hf2) provides support throughout pregnancy and up to 2 months postpartum to people who require extra support to have a healthy pregnancy.

Services offered include:

• education on pregnancy, birth, baby care and parenting (including pregnancy and parenting options)
• support and referrals to community supports (such as maternity care, mental health, addictions, housing, food security)
• resources may include grocery coupons and prenatal vitamins

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.

Healthy Beginnings Postpartum Program

Provides nursing care and support including:

• Health assessment of birth parent and newborn
• Feeding support
• Information about parenting and newborn care
• Referrals to healthcare providers or community resources as needed

You will be contacted after you are discharged from the hospital to arrange an initial assessment.

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

Immunization - Adult Services

This service provides routine immunization for adults. Suggested immunizations:

• a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)(dTap) every 10 years
• dTap vaccine for pregnant women every time they are pregnant
• Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) for unprotected adults born in 1981 or later. Some adults born before 1981 may need this vaccine if they are at risk for hepatitis B (e.g. health problems, type of work, lifestyle, contact with the virus)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adults up to and including age 26 years who did not get it in school.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine for adults whose immunization records do not show the recommended number of doses of measles, mumps, or rubella vaccine
• Chickenpox vaccine for unprotected adults
• annual influenza vaccine
• pneumococcal vaccine for all adults 65 years of age and older and adults with certain health problems

To find out which vaccines are recommended for you and to book an appointment for immunization, call your nearest community / public health centre. If you are not sure where your nearest community / public health centre is, you can call Health Link at 811. Bring any immunization records you have to the appointment, especially if you were immunized in another province or country.

For more general information about immunization go to ImmunizeAlberta.ca, Immunizations at myhealth.alberta.ca, or call Health Link.

Immunization - Infant and Preschool Services

Alberta Health Services provides routine immunization for infants and children across Alberta. Immunizations are free of charge for infants and children who live in Alberta.
Immunizations are recommended for infants starting at 2 months of age. Routinely recommended vaccines include: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), and influenza.

For the routine immunization schedule, go to immunizealberta.ca.

Additional vaccines may be needed depending on your child’s health conditions or other risk factors.

Immunization is effective. Other than providing safe drinking water, no other health intervention works as well as immunization to reduce disease and death rates. Immunization protects whole communities. The more people who are fully immunized in a community, the safer everyone is.

Immunization is safe. It is much safer to get immunized than to get the diseases that vaccines protect against.

For more information, and to book an appointment, call your nearest community/public health centre. If you are not sure where your nearest community/public health centre is, call Health Link at 811. Bring your child’s immunization record to the appointment, especially if your child was immunized in another province or country.

For more general information about immunization, go to immunizealberta.ca, Immunizations at myhealth.alberta.ca, or call Health Link at 811.

Immunization - School Services

Each year, Alberta Health Services, Public Health reviews immunization records for students in grades 1, 6, and 9 to see what immunizations each student needs. A consent form is then sent home with an information sheet for each vaccine recommended for the student. No immunizations will be given in school without consent from a parent or legal guardian. Immunizations in this program include:

• Grades 1, 6, and 9: Any routine childhood and school vaccines that may have been missed according to a review of the students immunization record on file
• Grade 6: Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine for students who have not already completed a hepatitis B immunization series and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Grade 9: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (dTap) and meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y, W-135) conjugate vaccine

Intravenous (IV) Therapy Clinic

Provides IV Therapy for outpatients who are able to mobilize independently or are accompanied by a capable caregiver

• Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy Clinic
• blood & blood product transfusions
• day medicine infusions

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.

Labour and Delivery

Provides labour and birth care for pregnant women. Management of postpartum patients (0-14 days postpartum) presenting with postpartum health concerns and referred to assessment area by their most responsible care provider.

Minor Procedure / Surgery

Provides minor operations done under local anesthetic, including:

• plastic surgery
• general surgery

Services provided:

• preparing patients before the operation
• care after the operation
• patient education

Nutrition Counselling - Adult, Pregnancy and Pediatrics

The majority of teaching is one-to-one, 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 and at MyHealth.Alberta.ca

Additional Services:

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

Ophthalmology - Surgical Suite

This service provides surgery for patients with eye, ear, nose, and throat issues.

Outpatients Clinic, IV Therapy

This service provides, but are not limited to:

• simple and complex wounds
• infectious disease consult
• infusion therapy to patients with acute and chronic medical conditions

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 Community Rehabilitation

We want to understand what's important to your child and family. Services are goal-driven; starting and continuing services is based on having functional reasons / goals for rehabilitation. Therapists will work with parents to provide the tools and strategies to apply in the context of their home and life. Therapy may look like 'play', depending on your child's age. We will work together so you and your child are supported to move to the next developmental stage or between providers and services. Services are provided by phone, zoom and some in person sessions as determined by your therapist. They may be in a group or one to one. Services provided are related to (neuro) developmental conditions and / or medical conditions.

Occupational Therapy 0- 18 years services children and their families with self - care; motor development and eating, feeding and swallowing.

• motor development
• self - care
• participation in activities typical for their development
• eating, feeding and swallowing
• self/emotional regulation
• sensory processing
• assistive technology
• mobility and positioning equipment: walkers, standing frames, Feeder Seats and basic wheelchairs

Physiotherapy 0-18 years services children and their families with development and movement.

• motor development
• movement and function
• torticollis
• mobility and positioning equipment: walkers, standing frames, Feeder Seats and basic wheelchairs

Speech Language Pathology 0-18 years services children and their families with communication and eating, feeding, and swallowing.

• pronouncing speech sounds
• understanding and listening to spoken language (0-5 years only)
• using words to communicate thoughts and ideas (0-5 years only)
• speaking smoothly and easily (stuttering)
• using gestures, pictures, communication boards to communicate (augmentative & alternative communication, AAC)

We work closely with our pediatric rehabilitation partners to ensure referrals go to the right place and services are offered within the most appropriate program.

Preschool Oral Health Services

Fluoride varnish helps protect your child's teeth from tooth decay (cavities). It slows down decay already started.

Your child needs four fluoride varnish visits, six months apart, to best protect their teeth. Fluoride varnish is painted on your child's teeth. It takes less than one minute to apply. You can hold your child during the visit.

You can also ask any questions you may have about protecting your child's teeth.

If your child is diagnosed with asthma by a doctor, bring their quick reliever medication to the appointment. If your child feels anxious with dental visits it may trigger asthma symptoms.

This provincial prevention service is available across Alberta.

For more information and eligibility, visit our website: Preschool Oral Health Services

Protective Services

Protective Services responsibilities include:

• safety of patients, staff, and visitors
• protection of hospital and personal property
• patrolling and observing activities in all areas of the hospital
• prevention and detection of criminal activities
• investigations conducted into security and fire-related matters
• responding to security alarms, fire alarms, medical emergencies, hazardous situations
• access control
• lost and found
• fire safety
• safe walking
• assisting with parking

Public Health Services

A service offered by Public Health Nurses including immunization according to the Alberta Health immunization schedule, health education/counselling / support for parent / pre and post natal, health assessment and screening to identify health concerns, and referral to appropriate health care providers such as physicians, and community resources.

Community Health Centres

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

Respiratory Therapy - Community

This team provides:

• group pulmonary rehab for patients with chronic lung disease (Breathe Easy program and Interstitial lung disease program)
• one on one education for patients and their families related to chronic lung disease such as COPD, asthma, Interstitial lung disease
• smoking cessation group education (Quitcore) and one on one appointments
• in community clinic appointments for diagnostic testing:
• spirometry
• arterial blood gas testing (ABG)
• neuromuscular respiratory tests
• diagnostic testing can also be completed for patients who are homebound or live in Continuing Care facilities
• Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) walk tests

School Health Services

For more information visit our website or Schools & Educators.

School Oral Health Services

Services are offered to eligible schools and may include:

• fluoride varnish, provided to kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2
• dental sealants, provided to Grade 1 and Grade 2

A child diagnosed with asthma must have their short acting asthma reliever medication with them to receive service.

Sexual Assault Response Team

The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a team of Registered Nurses with specialized education in sexual assault care. They serve 11 Edmonton area emergency rooms 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.The team provides compassionate, confidential, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental care to individuals who have been sexually assaulted in the last 7 days with or without police involvement. Care includes assessment, physical examination, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, giving medicine to prevent STIs and pregnancy, and referrals for counselling or other healthcare services.

Sexual Assault Resources

• Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) Support & Information Line
• SACE Counselling
• Strathcona Sexual Assault Centre (SAFFRON)
• University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre
• Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (online chat also available); also called Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence
• Edmonton Police Service Victim Support Services

Community Resources

• Health Link for 24 / 7 Health Advice
• Birth Control Centre
• STI Clinic
• Radius Community Heath & Healing
• Family Violence Info Line
• Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters

Addiction and Mental Health Service

• Access 24 / 7
• Addiction Helpline
• Mental Health Helpline
• Streetworks

Sigmoidoscopy

Provides examination of the lower bowel using a fiberoptic scope.

Social Work

Assesses clients' needs and gives support to help them deal with illness or injury.

Services include:

• help addressing concerns of clients, families, and members of the healthcare team
• information and education (e.g., making good decisions, caregiver stress, career or work options, end-of-life care, child care options)
• referrals to community resources and services (e.g., financial help, accommodation, transportation)
• help solving conflicts within families and with the healthcare system
• speaks with government agencies and departments on behalf of clients
• support as clients transition home or to another care setting

Switchboard

These services include:

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

Tuberculosis Testing

Offers free tuberculosis (TB) skin testing to eligible Albertans. The Mantoux skin test is not recommended to diagnose TB.

Testing is done at public health centres throughout the province:

• North Zone
• Edmonton Zone
• Central Zone
• Calgary Zone
• South Zone

If you are not eligible for free testing but still need to be tested there will be a charge for the test.

For travel or work related TB testing contact the Travel Health Services in your area.

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.

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.