July 14, 2023
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.
Improving patient flow and continuity of care
Renovations begin at Canmore’s emergency department
Reducing surgery wait times
Surgical wait-list update
Work continues on other AHS priorities, including:
Mental Health and Addiction
Access online cognitive behavioural therapy
As part of the Employee and Family Assistance Program, access online cognitive behavioural therapy for mild depression and anxiety. (more...)
Mental Health Wellness - the emotional phases of managing a disaster
Dr. Nicholas Mitchell talks about the common phases that many people go through when dealing with a disaster. (more...)
CEO message - celebrating InfoCare
Guests on the AHS Vlog discuss how InfoCare supports us in safeguarding privacy and information security. (more...)
COVID-19 status and cases in Alberta
Update on wastewater surveillance. (more...)
Join the Stollery Simulation Program, 3D Heart Project at K-Days
Two programs supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation will be showcased at K-Days on July 24. (more...)
I hope you’re all having an opportunity to enjoy summer. Please do your best to find time over the next few weeks to get outside, rest and recharge. I recognize taking time off can be difficult given our workforce challenges, particularly on our front lines, but it’s important we take care of ourselves as we care for others. Thank you for everything you do every day.
With enduring gratitude and appreciation,
Mauro Chies
AHS President & CEO
July 14, 2023
Please print and share with your teams as needed
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.
Renovations begin at Canmore’s emergency department
Construction began last week on upgrades to the Canmore General Hospital emergency department.
The $4.4-million project will improve patient flow, create private patient treatment spaces and enhance infection prevention and control standards.
It is jointly funded by the Government of Alberta, AHS and the Canmore & Area Health Care Foundation. The foundation raised $2.2 million for the project. Construction is expected to be completed late next year.
This ED renovation represents a transformative step forward, ensuring that the Canmore community has a resilient and modern healthcare infrastructure capable of providing exceptional emergency care for years to come.
As of July 10, 56 per cent of cases on the surgical wait-list at adult facilities were within clinically appropriate wait times. This is an overall 1.3 per cent improvement from the start of June and approximately a four per cent improvement from the start of April.
Work continues on other AHS priorities, including:
Additional support for families after emergency department discharge
Five central Alberta emergency departments are now better equipped to support youth experiencing crisis with the addition of a new AHS Addiction and Mental Health team.
The Child and Adolescent Stabilization Team (CAST) ensures youth and their families in crisis have ongoing mental health services within 48 hours of leaving an emergency department.
Available at emergency departments in Red Deer, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Rimbey and Lacombe, CAST ensures patients and their families return home after leaving the emergency department with connections to appropriate community services.
CAST is available Monday to Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on weekends and statutory holidays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
As part of the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) digital experience, access Sentio, online cognitive behavioural therapy for mild depression and anxiety.
To access Sentio, create an account on homeweb.ca. You will start with a short online self-assessment which helps customize your care path and enables you to choose treatment goals based on your needs and interests. The learning modules include activities and exercises to teach you new skills.
If you need support with any issue, call the intake line at 1-877-273-3134. Physicians can contact the AMA Physician and Family Support Program, a confidential 24/7 support line, at 1-877-767-4637.
Questions? Contact wellness@ahs.ca
In this Mental Wellness Moment, Dr. Nicholas Mitchell — Provincial Medical Director for Addiction and Mental Health with AHS — talks about the common phases that many people go through when dealing with a disaster.
As a healthcare organization, we’re trusted with huge volumes of confidential information, and a lot of the work we do depends on our IT infrastructure.
Every person at AHS has an important role to play in safeguarding privacy and information security in our organization—and that’s where InfoCare comes in.
InfoCare is the main source of support for privacy and information security matters at AHS, and it promotes organization-wide awareness of these key topics.
For the past month, we’ve been holding the first annual InfoCare celebration at AHS to recognize the importance of these topics. Joining the AHS Vlog to tell us more about the positive impact InfoCare has on AHS and how it supports staff are:
Guests left to right: Victoria Lane and Robert Martin
Hospitalizations and ICUs
Data is now reported monthly. Updated numbers are expected in the next AHS Update.
Wastewater surveillance
Three sites increased by more than 25 per cent compared to the weekly average in the last report. These sites were Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Canmore. Edson and Cold Lake have not reported new data since the last report. 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 July 12 at 8 a.m.
Join Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation-supported programs, the Stollery Simulation Program and 3D Heart Project, at K-Days in Edmonton. There will be interactive displays, showcasing the latest technology in healthcare education and a chance to practise some life-saving skills.
The booth will be located at the Innovation Zone (Hall F) at the Edmonton EXPO Centre & Exhibition Grounds from noon to 10 p.m.
Learn more about the Innovation Zone.
I hope you’re all having an opportunity to enjoy summer. Please do your best to find time over the next few weeks to get outside, rest and recharge. I recognize taking time off can be difficult given our workforce challenges, particularly on our front lines, but it’s important we take care of ourselves as we care for others. Thank you for everything you do every day.
With enduring gratitude and appreciation,
Mauro Chies
AHS President & CEO
