Become a Member
Logo Spacer

Primary Care Alberta – Clinical Update Mar 20


Primary Care Alberta’s Weekly Clinical Update aims to provide regular updates to primary care providers across Alberta.

Clinical Information

Measles Update

Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks. Cases have been identified in several Canadian provinces, including outbreaks across Alberta. See the following active health advisories:

Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and Indigenous Services Canada are working together to ensure that the public, healthcare providers and other partners have the information they need to prevent, protect and identify measles cases.

Please note: patients who present at clinics with measles symptoms, or who call the clinic and identify possible exposure, should not be directed to the Emergency Department (ED) for testing. EDs are experiencing patients presenting for testing who do not require medical care – this is creating a risk of increased exposure.

Please follow the Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway, which has been updated.

Resources for healthcare providers:

Resources for infection prevention and control

As infectious diseases, including measles, continue to circulate in Alberta, primary care clinics may find these AHS posters useful for infection prevention and control among both patients and healthcare workers. Note that the Patient Symptoms poster is particularly helpful for measles and is available in multiple languages.

Regarding IPC procedures, AHS strongly recommends that:

  • All staff and physicians be fit-tested for an N95 respirator. 
  • Anyone who works with patients or clients ensure they are immune to measles.
  • Get more information: AHS.ca/measles.

COVID -19 immunization program update from Alberta Health

Effective April 28, 2025, Alberta Health is recommending a biannual dose of COVID-19 vaccine for Albertans at higher risk of severe outcomes due to COVID-19 infection. Eligible Albertans (see the criteria below) who have previously received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine after October 1, 2024, are eligible to receive a biannual dose at least three months after their previous dose. See complete eligibility details here.

The following groups are eligible to receive a biannual dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least three months after their last dose:

  • Individuals 65 years of age and older.
  • Adults 18 years of age and older who are residents of continuing care homes and senior supportive living accommodations.
  • Individuals six months of age and older with certain immunocompromising conditions (a list can be found in the COVID-19 vaccine biological pages).
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals six months of age and older, no matter where they live.

Please note that Moderna vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine available for children six months to 11 years. As all remaining doses of Moderna vaccine expire on June 17, 2025, eligible children in this age cohort need to receive this vaccine prior to June 17, 2025. Albertans who have not received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine since October 1, 2024, continue to be eligible to receive a dose.

Please refer to the COVID-19 vaccine biological pages for more information.

Reminder: Fax number update for oncology referrals in South, Central and Calgary Zones

As all Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Holy Cross Centre cancer services have now transitioned to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, AHS reminds those sending fax referrals to update your records and automatic dialing to the new Arthur Child contact fax number and main switchboard.

Please discontinue sending fax referrals to the Tom Baker and Holy Cross cancer centres.

If faxes continue to be sent to Tom Baker and Holy Cross, they will be automatically rerouted to Arthur Child until May 1. During that transition phase AHS will remind senders to update the fax number on their end.

After May 1, if senders have not updated their contact information, they will receive an error message.

The Arthur Child contact numbers are as follows:

  • Main switchboard:                   587-231-3100
  • Toll-free number:                    1-844-465-6330
  • Referral fax number:               587-231-3580

Questions: Lori Kotkas, Supervisor, Health Information Management, AHS:  587-231-3600.

APL bulletins:

Changed to insulin testing: Effective April 1, 2025, the method used to measure insulin at Edmonton Base Lab (EBL) will change from Abbott Architect to Siemens Atellica, resulting in a wider reportable range. Similar to the Abbott Architect insulin assay, the Siemens Atellica insulin assay also detects common insulin analogs. There is no need to update order sets or preference lists as test codes will not change.

Standardization of serological testing for celiac disease: Effective April 1, 2025, serological testing for celiac disease (CD) will be standardized across the province and consolidated at the Diagnostic and Scientific Centre (DSC) in Calgary. The standardized approach will eliminate confusion arising from different reference intervals and algorithms used across Alberta.

APL asks that healthcare providers not order total IgA when investigating suspected CD. The TTG IgA test has a lab-triggered line testing for assessing IgA deficiencies.

New CMV, EBV, Adenovirus, Parvovirus B19, and HHV-6 Nucleic Acid tests: On March 25, 2025, the AltoStar PCR kits (Altona Diagnostics) for CMV, EBV, adenovirus, parvovirus B19,and HHV-6 will be implemented by APL’s Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab).

APL asks that healthcare providers continue to submit a dedicated EDTA blood tube for viral load monitoring. Only blood specimens will be reported with a viral load routinely while other specimen types will be reported qualitatively (i.e., detected or not detected).

Updates AHS Childhood Growth Monitoring Guidance

AHS’ Childhood Growth Monitoring Guidance combines former Growth Chart Use Protocol, Growth Chart Measurement Protocol, and Weight Velocity Nutrition Guideline into a single updated document. This enhances healthcare providers’ workflows and continues to support best practice in the measurement and interpretation of childhood growth.

  • Find the guidance document and resources at ahs.ca/cgm. 

Professional Development and Events

Reminder: Improving Information Continuity for Providers

North Zone FAST is hosting a series of virtual check-in and information sessions covering FAST topics. The Learn about recent and future changes to improve information sharing from Connect Care to Primary Care and hear from a primary care provider about how their clinic uses an electronic medical record (EMR) to improve patient outcomes and provider experience.

Register now.

Organized by AMA-ACTT and presented by Primary Care Alberta.

March 25, 2025 | 12 – 1 p.m.

Alberta Association of Nurses Annual Conference: Nursing 2.0

Join Alberta nurses in Calgary on May 1 and 2, 2025, and learn about the key influences shaping the future landscape of healthcare, the impact of artificial intelligence, and how nurses are harnessing transformative technology.

3rd Annual Hematology Update

This conference is the first of its kind in Western Canada and will be held in-person and virtually. Topics include obstetrics hematology, angioedema, small clot thrombosis and more. The Hematology Update takes place April 12, 2025, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.

Alberta Virtual Pain Program (AVPP)

Join AVPP for a free, two-hour virtual presentation offering up-to-date evidence on the treatment of chronic pain in adults. Topics include chronic pain science, biopsychosocial treatment approaches, purposeful and empathetic communication, patient values as a guide to treatment, the role of the nervous system in alleviating chronic pain, and hope as a verb.

Rheumatology Revealed 2.0: Advanced Insights and Evolving Best Practices for Family Physicians

These weekly University of Alberta online sessions begin April 22 and will cover the following topics: biologics, lupus, giant cell arteritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Funding Opportunities

Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary

Alberta Health’s Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary Pilot Program supports efforts to address the shortage of family physicians in rural and remote Alberta. By offering financial support to family medicine residents committed to serving in rural and remote communities, the program seeks to improve healthcare access and help Alberta Health retain skilled physicians where they are needed most.

Engagement Opportunities

Feedback opportunity: Provincial Hand and Wrist Suite of Primary Care Clinical Pathways – Soft Tissue Mass, Trigger Finger, Dupuytren’s Disease

The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) and their clinical partners are pleased to share a new suite of hand and wrist pathways. Please explore the information below and access the feedback survey link below, or email albertapathways@primarycarealberta.ca with your comments. 
Trigger Finger

This clinical pathway describes when the condition warrants surgical treatment. There are splinting and steroid guidelines to follow in the conservative management. An accompanying patient pathway will be available soon.
Soft Tissue Mass

This clinical pathway supports the management and differentiation of simple cystic masses and solid masses that are suspected to be either benign or malignant. 
Dupuytren’s Disease

This clinical pathway lists two additional reasons for referral beyond a positive Heuston’s Tabletop test. Those are painful nodules and impacts to daily living.


Explore more pathways at www.albertapathways.ca. 

Reminder: Clinical pathway development survey

The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is seeking input on future clinical pathway development from primary care providers.

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.

Alberta Rural Health Week

This annual event, running May 26-30,2025, celebrates and recognizes the people, communities and initiatives that support and strengthen rural healthcare in Alberta.

Throughout the week, Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) invites communities, organizations and individuals across the province to show appreciation for healthcare professionals and volunteers whose commitment enhances the well-being of rural residents.

Alberta Rural Health Week Toolkit.

Patient Resources

March is Nutrition Month

If your patients are looking for nutrition resources, check out these AHS calendars, aimed at the general public and educators in childcare and school settings. Both calendars include links to recipe ideas, information on food storage and safety, and ideas to make vegetables and fruits a fun part of daily routines.