July 28, 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.
Reducing surgery wait times
Surgical wait-list update
Work continues on other AHS priorities, including:
Indigenous Health
Get personalized support recommendations
The Employee and Family Assistance Program offers a quick PulseCheck to recommend personalized supports. (more...)
Mental Health Wellness - mental health in the aftermath of a disaster or emergency
Dr. Nicholas Mitchell talks about the importance of monitoring your mental health even after a disaster or emergency has passed. (more...)
CEO video message - learn more about The Summit
The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience has served hundreds of patients since its March 13 opening. (more...)
Minimally invasive heart bypass surgery a first in Alberta
The province’s first minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery was recently performed at Foothills Medical Centre. (more...)
COVID-19 status and cases in Alberta
Latest hospitalizations, ICU update and wastewater surveillance. (more...)
Influenza site champions needed
Help improve staff access to influenza immunization by becoming a site champion. (more...)
Apply to join AHS’ Illumination Academy
AHS’ Illumination Academy is a five-week program in which participants will learn systemic design tools to evolve healthcare. (more...)
Let me end this AHS Update by expressing my gratitude for everything you do every day. This update includes stories on how we’re better meeting the needs of children and youth with mental health issues in the Calgary area, and how an AHS surgical team is performing minimally invasive heart bypass surgery with the heart still beating. At AHS, we have complex challenges that we’re addressing but also remember, as we do that work, we’re also doing amazing things every day. Let’s approach our challenges with determination and ingenuity, but also let’s also take time to recognize and be proud of our achievements.
With enduring gratitude and appreciation,
Mauro Chies
AHS President & CEO
July 28, 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.
As of July 17, 56 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:
Indigenous Support Line expanding to Central Zone
Starting Aug. 9, Indigenous Peoples in the Central Zone will have access to a dedicated support line to help them better navigate the health system.
The expansion of the Indigenous Support Line to Central Zone follows rollouts in the North Zone last year and in South Zone this past May. Since its launch, hundreds of Indigenous clients have had better access to healthcare and have been supported on their healthcare journeys.
The toll-free Indigenous Support Line can be reached by calling 1-844-944-4744. The support line is staffed by Indigenous Health Link staff and available weekdays from noon to 8 p.m.
Staff will answer callers’ questions, help them access culturally appropriate care and support, and assist them with navigating the healthcare system. Clients can call at any time during their healthcare journey with questions or concerns – whether they are not currently receiving care, about to start care, in care, or have been discharged from care.
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offers a quick PulseCheck to recommend personalized supports.
When you create an account on Homeweb, you will have access to Pathfinder, an enhanced version of EFAP’s digital experience to support your well-being. You can then assess how you’re feeling using the PulseCheck sliding scale and receive recommended resources based on where you’re at.
At any point, you can click on ‘Meet Now’ and be immediately connected with a service provider for a single session.
If you need support with any issue, call the intake line 24/7 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 Alberta Health Services — talks about the importance of monitoring your mental health even after a disaster or emergency has passed. There can be a delayed response or reaction that requires attention or, in some cases, professional treatment.
The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience recently marked 100 days of providing services to the public. It was built in partnership with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and our generous community, which donated more than $50 million to fund construction, as well as program and research enhancements.
The Summit offers referral programs, such as therapeutic support through a day hospital and community-based treatment. It also provides walk-in services seven days a week for anyone under 18 years of age and their family.
More than 620 patients have been seen through the walk-in, and 55 patients have been cared for at the day hospital. The Summit is expected to provide specialized mental healthcare for 8,000 children, youth and their families every year.
Joining the AHS Vlog to tell us more are:
Guests left to right: Ryan Clements & Saifa Koonar
The province’s first minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery was recently performed at Foothills Medical Centre.
Cardiac surgeon Dr. Daniel Holloway grafted a blood vessel onto the patient’s heart to create a new path for blood to flow around a blocked artery – while the patient’s heart was still beating.
Traditional bypass surgery involves a full sternotomy: the patient’s breastbone is split apart to access the heart, which requires the patient to be on a heart and lung machine. With MIDCAB, the surgeon enters the chest cavity through a five- to seven-centimetre incision between the ribs, a much less invasive procedure.
Sternotomy patients cannot drive for six weeks post-operation and generally return to work after two months. Calgarian Chris Kennedy returned to work 10 days after his MIDCAB procedure. For more information, see the video below:
Alberta's first minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery completed.
Note: This video contains surgery footage.
Hospitalizations and ICUs
On July 24:
Data is now reported monthly. The next update will be available Aug. 30.
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, Calgary & Area, Banff, and City of Edmonton. Six sites (Brooks, Okotoks, Strathmore, Lacombe, Edson and Cold Lake) have not reported new data for this reporting period. The other nine 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 24, at 7 a.m.
AHS strongly encourages our people to get immunized against influenza as part of a strategy to keep patients and staff safe.
Site champions play a key role in supporting this as they improve access to the vaccine and promote the importance of getting immunized. Last year, site champions provided nearly 60 per cent of immunizations to our people compared to other vaccine providers.
Ahead of this year’s campaign, we need the support of additional site champions. Learn more through these resources:
The world is constantly changing and, with change, comes opportunities to find new solutions to advance patient care. Be part of the solution with AHS’ Illumination Academy, a five-week program running through September and October in which participants will learn about systemic design tools, connect with design coaches, and share solutions with attendees at the i4 conference. Join individually, or as a group, and find new strategies to evolve healthcare.
Let me end this AHS Update by expressing my gratitude for everything you do every day. This update includes stories on how we’re better meeting the needs of children and youth with mental health issues in the Calgary area, and how an AHS surgical team is performing minimally invasive heart bypass surgery with the heart still beating. At AHS, we have complex challenges that we’re addressing but also remember, as we do that work, we’re also doing amazing things every day. Let’s approach our challenges with determination and ingenuity, but also let’s also take time to recognize and be proud of our achievements.
With enduring gratitude and appreciation,
Mauro Chies
AHS President & CEO
