Autodialer informs more Albertans of negative test results

CALGARY – Starting Wednesday, April 15, more Albertans being tested for COVID-19 will now have the option to receive their negative COVID-19 test results over the phone through an autodialer system that was initially piloted in the Calgary Zone.

Individuals being tested for COVID-19 in any community setting in Alberta will be provided with the opportunity to consent to the autodialer method of receiving negative COVID-19 test results at the time they are referred for testing. All individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to be contacted by a member of the AHS Public Health team for follow-up and case management.

This expansion of autodialer use to all zones of AHS follows its success in Calgary Zone, where the autodialer option was implemented on April 2. From April 2 to April 12, 6,685 Calgary Zone residents consented to receive negative test results via autodialer. In those cases, 95 per cent were successfully reached by the autodialer. All unsuccessful calls are redialled by the auto-dialer later in the day, or followed up directly by Health Link, ensuring everyone receives their results.

This innovative use of autodialer technology allows healthcare teams to focus their follow-up work on Albertans with positive test results. It also shortens turn-around time on test results, helping Albertans learn of their results sooner.

All Albertans who receive negative results are advised to visit ahs.ca/results for additional important direction on steps they still need to take to continue to keep themselves and their families healthy.

Testing is now available to any symptomatic Albertan. If you are experiencing symptoms of cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat, please visit ahs.ca/covid to complete the online assessment for testing referral.

For general information on COVID-19 in Alberta, visit ahs.ca/covid or alberta.ca/covid19.