Clinical Information
RSV immunization program eligibility expansion
As of March 10, 2025, Alberta Health will provincially fund respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for community-dwelling seniors 70 years and older (down from 75 years) and First Nations, Metis, and Inuit individuals 60 years and older. Residents of continuing care homes and senior supportive living accommodations that are 60 years and older continue to be eligible to receive provincially funded RSV vaccine. For more information, please refer to the RSV biological page on the Alberta Immunization Policy webpage.
Alberta Health would also like to remind physicians to be diligent when choosing which RSV immunizing agent to offer to a patient. Reports of incorrect administration of RSV immunizing agents to patients have included infants receiving adult vaccine, and pregnant individuals receiving the incorrect vaccine.
An article on this topic was published by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada, and it is being shared so that these incidents can be avoided. The article includes key contributing factors to the incidents and provides recommendations to inform continuous quality improvement activities that support safe administration of the right product to the right patient.
Connect Care Ambulatory Medication in Netcare
A new display for Connect Care Outpatient Med Orders will be available in Netcare as of March 20, and will include the following:
- Data will be updated in real time.
- Data will not be available via Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN), but as a separate tab in the medication section of Netcare.
- Medications listed will be based on medication orders. This means they will be prescribed for administration, but not necessarily dispensed or administered, which is different than information in PIN which is based on dispensed medications.
To learn more, review this reference document.
Reminder: Measles resources
As measles continues to circulate globally, Alberta primary care providers are reminded of the following resources:
Measles information for health professionals
Environmental Cleaning Guidelines in Community Clinics
Measles Primary Care Summary Guide
Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway
Laboratory Testing for suspected Measles (APL bulletin)
Alberta recognizes World Obesity Day
Alberta Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange recently recognized World Obesity Day, noting the impact obesity can have on health.
Mobile mammography: Central and northern Alberta
In March, an AHS mobile mammography trailer will be stationed at:
- Wainwright Health Centre, 530 6 Avenue, March 3-11.
- Grande Cache Community Health Complex, 10200 Shand Avenue,
March 12-15. - Brooks Health Centre, 440 3rd Street, March 17-23.
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.
Health System Transformation
MAPS townhall March 19
You are invited to attend the upcoming Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) townhall on Wednesday, March 19, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Alberta Health will provide general updates on MAPS and Primary Care Alberta, share what Alberta Health heard from Round 2 Regional Design Workshops, and provide opportunities to ask questions.
- Registration is required to attend the townhall. Register now.
- If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to the MAPS team at Health.maps@gov.ab.ca.
Professional Development and Events
Health professionals reminded to renew registrations
Regulated health professionals must renew their professional registration annually to hold a valid practice permit. The following health professions must renew their practice permits by March 31:
- Dietitians/Nutritionists
- Psychologists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Social Workers (whose permits expire in March)
Transitions in Care Talk: Improving information continuity
Join the next H2H2H Transitions in Care Talk, presented by Primary Care Alberta and hosted by AMA-ACTT, March 25, 12:00-1:00 p.m. You’ll learn how making clinical information-sharing easier can improve transitions in care, offer better information continuity and reduce the administrative burden on primary care teams. You’ll also hear from a primary care provider about how their clinic uses their electronic medical record (EMR) to improve patient outcomes and the provider experience.
- Watch Jan. 14 Transitions in Care Talk on Patient Access to Information.
- Watch Nov. 21, 2024, Talk on Home to Hospital to Home Transitions Guideline.
- Learn more and register for March 25 session.
Ethical Considerations of Palliative Psychiatry
Join the next AHS Ethics Lunch ‘n’ Learn sessions to learn more about ethical issues in palliative psychiatry. You’ll learn more about how palliative care could help support individuals suffering from a severe and persistent mental illness such as anorexia nervosa or refractory depression. This two-part series takes place over Zoom as follows:
- March 20, 2025, 11:30 a.m.: Register now.
- March 21, 2025, noon: Register now.
Funding
Expanded student loan forgiveness
The federal government has announced proposed amendments to the Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations and the Canada Student Loans Regulations. These changes would implement a Budget 2024 commitment to permanently expand the reach of the loan forgiveness benefit to pharmacists, midwives, social workers, physiotherapists, and psychologists who choose to work in an under-served rural or remote community.
ARNET Research Grant Applications
Are you a registered nurse or nurse practitioner leading or co-leading a research project in Alberta that directly impacts patient care? You may be eligible for Alberta Registered Nurses Educational Trust grants.
Engagement Opportunities
Clinical pathway development survey
The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is seeking input on future clinical pathway development from primary care providers.
Throughout the month of March, input will be collected through a two-question survey. Participating in this survey is primary care providers’ opportunity to tell the PPU about the conditions for which pathways will help in their clinical practice.
Clinical pathways address common conditions where there is either variation in approaches to care, a lack of Alberta-specific guidance, or frequent requests for advice. Clinical pathways also provide clear referral points that can help reduce declined referrals.
- Visit https://redcap.link/y69get78 to anonymously participate.
- If you have questions about clinical pathway work, contact the PPU at albertapathways@primarycarealberta.ca.
Patient Resources
New Parent and Newborn Line
Primary Care Alberta is excited to announce the New Parent and Newborn Line – available free of charge through Health Link to all parents in North, South and Central zones. 1-833-805-BABY (2229) provides 24/7 expert postpartum information to parents of babies under two months old.
Nurses and health experts are available to answer questions about caring for baby, breastfeeding, mother’s health and baby’s health – and to offer support, information and referrals to new parents and caregivers.
Similar lines are available for new parents in Calgary: Early Start Parent Information Line 403-244-8351 and Edmonton: Healthy Beginnings Line 780-413-7990.
Alberta Caregiver College® courses
The Alberta Caregiver College® is offering a free course for informal caregivers (family or friends) of brain injury and stroke survivors in the fall and spring. Courses are from 5:00–7:00 p.m. via Zoom.