June 30, 2023
CEO video message – introducing Alberta’s newest cancer centre
Our guests discuss the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, which opens in Calgary next year. (more...)
Wildfires continue in North and Central zones but activity has tapered. No AHS facilities are currently impacted. (more...)
We are working to urgently address four key priorities. They are:
Much of this work is underway. We will continue to use this update to highlight actions being taken to address our priorities.
Reducing surgery wait times
Surgical wait-list update
Work continues on other AHS priorities including:
Rural & Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement
Family supports and resources available
With the school year over, the Employee Family and Assistance Program can offer childcare and parenting tools. (more...)
Mental Wellness Moment — how to support men’s mental health
June is Men’s Health Month. Dr. Nicholas Mitchell talks about what people can do to support men’s mental health. (more...)
HQCA 2023 Patient Experience Awards are in – all initiatives from AHS
All recipients of the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) 2023 Patient Experience Awards were AHS initiatives. (more...)
COVID-19 status and cases in Alberta
Update on hospitalizations, ICU and wastewater surveillance. (more...)
Check out new Virtual Health resources quick reference guide
This new guide will help physicians and staff better navigate Virtual Health resources. (more...)
Faster access to dementia nurses through advice line
Albertans living with dementia and their families now have improved support with changes to the Dementia Advice Line. (more...)
New name for MyAlberta Digital ID
MyAlberta Digital ID (MADI) is now called Alberta.ca Account. (more...)
Population and public health teams seek feedback
Population and public health teams want to know what their teams and services mean to you. Tell us what you think in a brand survey. (more...)
To close the first AHS Update for Summer 2023, I encourage all of you to find time over the next several weeks to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and the company of friends and family. It’s important for our physical and mental well-being to unplug from work, even for a little while, and there’s no better time and place to do that than summers in Alberta. Be safe and have fun. Thank you for everything you do, including taking care of yourselves.
With enduring gratitude and appreciation,
Mauro Chies
AHS President & CEO
June 30, 2023
Please print and share with your teams as needed
Calgary’s new cancer centre opens next year, enabling patients to access comprehensive cancer care services in a world-class facility. Opening in 2024, the centre will house:
The OWN.Cancer campaign was instrumental in raising funds for this facility. It received an historic $50-million donation from the Arthur J.E. Child Foundation — the largest donation in AHS history. With this donation, the cancer centre is now officially named the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Joining the AHS Vlog to tell us more are:
Guests left to right: Wendy Beauchesne, Dr. Don Morris
Wildfires continue in North and Central zones but activity has tapered. As of June 30, there are 95 active wildfires burning in Alberta with seven being classified as out of control.
No AHS facilities are currently impacted by wildfire or flooding. Edson Healthcare Centre has returned to normal operations after being evacuated for a second time on June 9. The site and North Zone Emergency Operations Centre are currently working on plans to repatriate long-term care residents.
I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in the AHS response to the wildfire crisis this spring and summer. There has been tremendous effort and dedication demonstrated by all levels of the organization as we co-ordinated an efficient, effective response to this emergency.
We are working to urgently address four key priorities. They are:
Much of this work is underway. We will continue to use this update to highlight actions being taken to address our priorities.
As of June 19, 55 per cent of cases on the surgical wait-list at adult facilities were within clinically appropriate wait times, virtually unchanged from two weeks prior.
Work continues on other AHS priorities including:
National Indigenous Peoples Month initiatives announced
AHS wrapped up its National Indigenous Peoples Month celebrations with the announcement of three initiatives that will improve access to culturally safe care.
The Indigenous Support Line expanded to the South Zone after being launched in the North Zone last year. There are plans to expand it to other zones. Indigenous patients, families, communities and care providers can call 1-844-944-4744 to be connected with an Indigenous Listener who can support patients through their healthcare journeys.
Health Link and the Indigenous Wellness Core also collaborated on the launch of translation services in 23 Indigenous languages. Patients can now access care in their own language, which reduces barriers and ensures patients understand and can be involved in their care.
And on National Indigenous Peoples Day, AHS announced the creation of the Patient Access to Indigenous Spiritual Ceremony policy, which ensures Indigenous patients can perform ceremonies consistently inside all AHS facilities.
Another school year has ended and it’s time for new routines. The Employee Family and Assistance Program (EFAP) can offer childcare and parenting tools.
Childcare and Parenting can offer guidance whether you are looking for additional coaching and support, or any child-related resources. To access childcare and parenting supports, call the EFAP intake line at 1-877-273-3134. You will be asked some questions to determine the best options for your situation, and a childcare specialist will walk you through the supports you can access.
For support with any issue, call the EFAP intake line. Physicians can contact the AMA Physician and Family Support Program, a confidential 24/7 support line, at 1-877-SOS-4MDS for options and support.
Questions? Contact wellness@ahs.ca.
June is Men’s Health Month. In this Mental Wellness Moment, Dr. Nicholas Mitchell — Provincial Medical Director for Addiction and Mental Health with AHS — talks about what people can do to support men and their mental health.
All the recipients for the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) 2023 Patient Experience Awards were AHS initiatives. Four initiatives won awards, and two more are being recognized as Distinguished Initiatives. Providing safe, high-quality healthcare for the people of Alberta and the communities we serve is at the centre of everything we do. We consistently look for ways to deliver the best care possible, and that dedication is being recognized.
Congratulations! To learn more, please visit HQCA.
Hospitalizations and ICUs
On June 19:
Wastewater surveillance
Five sites increased by more than 25 per cent compared to the weekly average in the last report. These sites were Taber, Medicine Hat, Red Deer & Area, Jasper and Fort McMurray. The other 15 sites decreased or had no significant changes. Wastewater can provide an early indication of COVID-19 infection trends in a community. The above interpretations were made from available data as of June 26 at 7 a.m.
Virtual Health, in partnership with the Edmonton Zone Ambulatory Virtual Care Sustainability Working Group, developed a new quick reference guide to help physicians and other staff across the province navigate the many resources available to help provide quality virtual care to patients.
The working group, launched a year ago, developed the guide to improve accessibility of virtual health resources that address commonly encountered challenges to virtual care service delivery. The resources aim to address everyday operational issues regarding virtual care. It’s split into five categories:
The guide will be refreshed annually by Virtual Health and is applicable to anyone who uses virtual health for patient care. The guide is available on the Virtual Health Insite page.
Albertans living with dementia and their families now have improved support with changes to the Dementia Advice Line.
Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, Albertans can phone Health Link at 811 and press the option to speak to a nurse specializing in dementia. The nurse will answer your call, go through an assessment and provide advice and resources for your immediate concerns. After hours, Health Link staff will assess your needs and provide advice for your immediate concerns. When needed, you will be referred to a specialized dementia nurse for additional advice.
Previously, callers needed to speak to a Health Link nurse, get a referral and then receive a response within 72 hours from a dementia nurse.
In addition, Albertans can also complete the self-referral form, available online.
Visit Dementia Advice Line for more information.
The Alberta government is changing the name of the MyAlberta Digital ID (MADI) brand to Alberta.ca Account beginning July 1. All Albertans need an Alberta.ca Account to access their MyHealth Records and My Personal Records, as well as their MyAHS Connect account in Connect Care.
AHS is working to change this wording in all our patient resources and on the AHS external and internal websites. Please be aware some materials with the MADI wording may still be found at AHS sites, and patients may have questions about the new Alberta.ca Account wording. You can find more information for patients about MyAHS Connect here, and the complete set of resources about Connect Care and MyAHS Connect for patients and families is here.
Zone Public Health and Provincial Population & Public Health are dedicated to promoting and protecting health, preventing disease and injury, creating the conditions for all people in Alberta to reach their full health potential throughout their lives.
These teams want to better understand how people across AHS see their areas and services. Your answers will help us shape their identity, services and resources. An online survey runs until July 7 and takes about 10 minutes to complete. It’s open to anyone and all answers are anonymous.
To close the first AHS Update for Summer 2023, I encourage all of you to find time over the next several weeks to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and the company of friends and family. It’s important for our physical and mental well-being to unplug from work, even for a little while, and there’s no better time and place to do that than summers in Alberta. Be safe and have fun. Thank you for everything you do, including taking care of yourselves.
With enduring gratitude and appreciation,
Mauro Chies
AHS President & CEO
