Clinical information
Mobile mammography service to visit central and northern Alberta
A mobile mammography trailer will be stationed at:
- Rocky Mountain House Health Centre, 5016 52 Ave., Jan. 31-Feb. 9
- Drumheller Health Centre, 351 9 St North., Feb. 10-14, and Feb.18-24
Screening is available at no cost for eligible individuals, but appointments are required. Call 1-800-667-0604 to book an appointment or learn more about the program.
The following item is for Edmonton Zone Only:
Edmonton Zone Gastroenterology Central Access and Triage (EZ GI CAT) Officially Launched
As of January 22, 2025, Edmonton Zone Gastroenterology Central Access and Triage (EZ GI CAT) is now the only point of access to refer patients in the Edmonton Zone who need to see a gastroenterologist or require colorectal screening (including SCOPE program). One centralized intake for the Edmonton Zone will reduce care delays related to referral management and triage and improve patient care through referral quality and pathway integration.
Updated program information is available at www.ahs.ca/ezgicat.
How to refer to the new EZ GI CAT
- Visit the Alberta Referral Directory: Edmonton Zone Gastroenterology Central Access and Triage (EZ GI CAT). The new centralized fax number is 780-670-3607.
- Go direct to the Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Referral form.
A reminder to referring providers:
- Continue to use RAAPID for urgent referrals.
- Specialist advice outside of EZ GI CAT continues to be available through eReferral or ConnectMD at 1-844-633-2263.
Health System Transformation
Reminder: Primary Care Alberta job postings
Primary Care Alberta (PCA) has posted job openings for two Associate Chief Medical Officers (ACMOs). Note that the PCA Chief Medical Officer (CMO) position is currently under recruitment. Given the close working relationship between an ACMO and CMO, PCA intends to leave the ACMO competition open until after a CMO has been announced.
Alberta Health: Removing barriers in the health care system
Alberta’s government remains committed to removing barriers for Indigenous Peoples in accessing health services and ensuring they receive high-quality, timely culturally safe care.
In partnership with the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates, Tony Cardinal has been appointed as Alberta’s first Indigenous Patient Safety Investigator and Advocate. For more information, visit Removing Barriers In The Health Care System.
MAPS newsletter
The winter 2025 edition of the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) newsletter has been published.
AHS launches Virtual Emergency Physician program pilot
AHS has launched a pilot project to improve support for emergency department (ED) patients in four northern rural communities: Beaverlodge, Elk Point, Hinton and Lac La Biche. The new Virtual Emergency Physician program will use an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support. In these instances, site clinical staff can connect with an AHS physician by telephone or videoconference for ED patients with non-life-threatening issues.
Engagement opportunities
Feedback Wanted: Provincial Rhinosinusitis Primary Care Clinical Pathway & Sinusitis Patient Pathway
The Provincial Rhinosinusitis Primary Care Clinical Pathway is designed to guide primary care providers on differentiating acute, bacterial, and chronic rhinosinusitis using the acronym PODS (Facial Pressure/Pain, Nasal Obstruction, Posterior Purulent Nasal Discharge,Loss of Smell).
The accompanying patient pathway includes information on OTC nasal decongestants and not to use them for more than two days due to rebound inflammation.
ACTION: Please use the links below to review and provide your feedback as the Provincial Pathway Unit aims to finalize these pathways.
- Provincial Rhinosinusitis Primary Care Clinical Pathway
- Provide Feedback
- Sinusitis Patient Pathway
- Provide Feedback
Email AlbertaPathways@ahs.ca with any questions.
Explore more pathways at www.albertapathways.ca
Resident Doctors Appreciation Week, Feb. 3-7
National Resident Doctors Appreciation Week is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank resident physicians for their significant contributions to our healthcare system. Resident physicians are a cornerstone of patient care in teaching sites throughout Alberta. Get more information and join the conversation.
Professional development and events
Pain Society of Alberta Lunch and Learn – The Lived Experience of Chronic Pain: Untangling the Complexity
At this free session you’ll learn about current uni-, multi-modal and multidisciplinary treatment options for persistent pain, and their associated success rates. You’ll also explore clinical features that contribute to a person’s individual pain experience, and explore how to address these clinical features to help improve health outcomes.
- Registration
- Feb 5, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
Patient Resources
Home Blended Food for Tube Feeding: Video Series
Designed with input from pediatric feeding clinic families in Alberta, this video series provides a practical, research-based approach to using home blended food with children who are tube fed. It promotes independence and inclusion to enhance the mealtime experience. Access the videos from any of the partner’s web pages:
- Find Nutrition Services Workshops & Classes
- Pediatric Eating And Swallowing (PEAS) | Tube Feeding
- Wellness Kitchen
Fuel Your Fight: Nutrition and Cancer
Virtual group classes free to all Albertans. AHS dietitians lead you through answers to common questions and discuss the importance of getting enough nutrition. Classes are open to patients, their families, and caregivers.
- Power of Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
- Nutrition Myths & Cancer
- Nutrition During Breast Cancer Treatment
- Nutrition After Breast Cancer Treatment
Find these classes and more by going to ahs.ca/NutritionWorkshops.