Provincial News

Vascular surgery joined FAST on November 27, 2023 

On November 27, 2023, vascular surgery was added to the Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) program. FAST is a central access and intake program that receives surgical referrals and distributes them to a next available surgeon with the shortest wait time, a specific clinic/provider/site or an out of zone provider. 

Referring providers who refer into FAST for vascular surgery should review the new Provincial Adult Vascular Surgery Referral Pathway for referral instructions and can submit referrals via fax, Alberta Netcare eReferral or Connect Care using the outgoing referral process. 

For more information, visit ahs.ca/FAST 

Alberta Netcare eReferral Improvements Implemented February 23

On Feb. 23, 2023 several eReferral updates occurred that affect referring, receiving and triage users. While most changes are minor, you may notice them when using eReferral. For a full list of changes, review this document.

Change highlights:

• For Consult Requests – creating users no longer have to indicate where each required investigation is located. A new checkbox under Mandatory Requirements allows you to confirm all labs and diagnostic imaging are included in your attached and/or linked documents.
• Standard consult form used for all referrals for orthopedics; the Provincial Hip & Knee Consult Request form has been removed.
• New Consult Request reasons for referral were added for orthopedic surgery and urology as part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative. Starting Feb. 24, you can submit Consult Requests to Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) specialties using eReferral. Note: Using eReferral is not mandatory for all referrals, except for Edmonton Zone urology.
• OBS-GYN Maternal Fetal Medicine and Surgery – General Surgery (Edmonton Zone only) have been removed from eReferral Advice Request.
• New Provider Notification option for referring, receiving and triage users added.

Starting March 3, in progress Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) referrals will be viewable in patient records through the Clinical Document Viewer (CDV) tree. This will include referrals made for urology and orthopedics. In-progress referrals made to other Edmonton Zone FAST specialties will also be visible.

eReferral training resources are available online. If you have any questions or need additional training support, email ehealthsupport@cgi.com or call 1-855-643-8649.

Prevention is Protection; Get Immunized Against Influenza

This year more than ever, we need everyone to get immunized against influenza. Protect yourself, your co-workers, our patients and the community from getting sick and help reduce the strain on our healthcare system as we also battle COVID-19.

Staff currently working in an AHS facility can connect with the site champion on their unit, find a roving cart or check Insite for other options to get immunized.

Staff are also encouraged to get the influenza immunization at one of the options listed below.

• All Albertans, aged five and older, can get immunized at their local pharmacy or many doctors’ offices. Check with your pharmacy or doctor’s office to confirm vaccine availability and/or age eligibility.
• AHS public health clinics are offering influenza vaccines to children under age five and their family and household members by appointment only. Appointments can be booked at ahs.ca/influenza.

Note: Staff who receive influenza immunization from a pharmacy, doctors’ office or public health clinic are encouraged to report their immunization status.

Find more information about this year’s influenza immunization campaign on Insite.

Information in Your Zone

North | Edmonton | Central | Calgary | South

North Zone

New pediatric reason for referral added to eReferral Advice Request

On July 22, 2021, Dermatology – Northern Alberta added Pediatric dermatology issue as a new Advice Request reason for referral in the North, Edmonton and Central (north of Red Deer) Zones. When submitting yours, please consider adding photos of the child to support the specialist responding to your Advice Request.

Quick references on how to submit an Advice Request are available online. For additional training support, please contact the eHealth Netcare Support Services team at 1-855-643-8649 or email ehealthsupport@cgi.com. View a list of eReferral specialties and their reasons for referral.

Edmonton Zone

New Edmonton Zone Gastroenterology Referral Pathway Now Available

January 23, 2022 – A new resource is available to guide Edmonton Zone providers on how to access Adult Gastroenterology. The new Edmonton Zone Gastroenterology Referral Pathway will be used by all gastroenterology services to create a consistent referral experience for patients and providers and includes:

• Guidelines for making a referral based on common reasons for referral;
• Highlights labs and diagnostic imaging that are required to support successful triage, and;
• Available Primary Care Pathways.

To view the new Pathway, go to: https://bit.ly/35oSLgF or through ahs.ca/pathways or on the Alberta Referral Directory (search for “SHARPGI”). If you have any questions, please email clarence.wong@ahs.ca.

Central Zone

Dermatology – Southern Alberta added to eReferral Advice Request

On September 28, 2021, the Dermatology – Southern Alberta facility was added to eReferral Advice Request in the Central (Red Deer and south), Calgary and South Zones. It is now accepting the following reasons for referral:

• Dermatology issue
• Paediatric dermatology issue

Dermatology – Northern Alberta facility is also available for eReferral Advice Requests in the Central (north of Red Deer), Edmonton and North Zones.

To get started, review the quick references online. For additional training support, contact the eHealth Netcare Support Services team at 1-855-643-8649 or email ehealthsupport@cgi.com. For more information about eReferral, visit our website.

Calgary Zone

Dermatology – Southern Alberta added to eReferral Advice Request

On September 28, 2021, the Dermatology – Southern Alberta facility was added to eReferral Advice Request in the Central (Red Deer and south), Calgary and South Zones. It is now accepting the following reasons for referral:

• Dermatology issue
• Paediatric dermatology issue

Dermatology – Northern Alberta facility is also available for eReferral Advice Requests in the Central (north of Red Deer), Edmonton and North Zones.

To get started, review the quick references online. For additional training support, contact the eHealth Netcare Support Services team at 1-855-643-8649 or email ehealthsupport@cgi.com. For more information about eReferral, visit our website.

South Zone

Dermatology – Southern Alberta added to eReferral Advice Request

On September 28, 2021, the Dermatology – Southern Alberta facility was added to eReferral Advice Request in the Central (Red Deer and south), Calgary and South Zones. It is now accepting the following reasons for referral:

• Dermatology issue
• Paediatric dermatology issue

Dermatology – Northern Alberta facility is also available for eReferral Advice Requests in the Central (north of Red Deer), Edmonton and North Zones.

To get started, review the quick references online. For additional training support, please contact the eHealth Netcare Support Services team at 1-855-643-8649 or email ehealthsupport@cgi.com. For more information about eReferral, visit our website.