Clinical Information
Measles resources
As measles case numbers continue to increase in Alberta, primary care teams are reminded of the following key resources. Note: Measles resources are constantly being updated – please watch for new updates.
For the latest information on measles in Alberta – including a full list of Exposure Locations & Dates across the province – visit ahs.ca/measles.
- Measles | Alberta.ca – offers up-to-date case numbers and information for the public.
- Active Health Advisories | Alberta Health Services – lists current advisories by zone.
- Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway – gives step-by-step, comprehensive clinical guidance on care delivery.
- Measles Primary Care Summary Guide – sums up key clinical information and relevant information for a clinic setting.
Provincial measles Algorithm for ER- may be useful for clinics triage as well.
New – APL specimen collection pathways for Measles
To protect the public and staff while ensuring access to laboratory services for all Albertans, Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), in collaboration with Alberta Health Services Public Health, has developed defined specimen collection pathways for all measles testing. The APL patient appointment line 1-877-702-4486 must be used to ensure appropriate and safe access to measles testing.
Health system transformation
New urgent care centres
Eight new urgent care centres are being planned for West Edmonton, South Edmonton, WestView (Stony Plain/Spruce Grove), East Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray. These new centres will relieve pressure on emergency departments and give patients more care options for non-life-threatening conditions.
Cancer Care Alberta and organ tissue services
Cancer Care Alberta, as well as organ and tissue donation and transplantation, will be transferred from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to Acute Care Alberta to oversee service delivery.
Refocusing acute care funding in Alberta
Alberta’s government is introducing a new acute care funding model, increasing the accountability, efficiency and volume of high-quality surgical delivery.
Professional development & events
Transitions in Care Talk: Information continuity & patient portals
Watch the recording of the third Transitions in Care Talk, hosted by AMA-ACTT and presented by PCA and AHS focusing on information continuity.
Family physician Dr. Adina McBain walks through a patient case where improvements in information continuity, such as using a discharge summary template and open patient portal, led to an improved patient and provider experience.
The AHS team will also discuss changes that improve information sharing from Connect Care to primary care and the impact this has on providers.
Funding
Indigenous Primary Health Care & Policy Research (IPHCPR) applications now open: Undergraduate summer student stipend
The IPHCPR Network Undergraduate Summer Student Stipend will provide funding to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit undergraduate students engaged in primary health care and policy research in Alberta during the summer months (May-August) in an environment that provides strong mentorship.
- Submission Deadline: April 23, 2025, at 17:00 MST
- For more information, please visit this link.
Engagement opportunities
Final reminder: FAST program evaluation survey closes April 13
FAST, a PCA Specialty Access program that helps primary care teams offer Albertans timely and efficient access to specialty care, is requesting participation in an evaluation survey. Participate here: FAST Program Evaluation.
The survey is open from March 24 to April 13 and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. Your answers will remain confidential and will be aggregated into a final report driving meaningful improvements and ensure the Specialty Access program continues to align with provider needs and best practices.
Feedback opportunity: Provincial male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) clinical and patient pathway
The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is requesting assistance from primary care providers in reviewing the pathways below and sending feedback to albertapathways@primarycarealberta.ca.
The Provincial Male LUTS Primary Care Clinical Pathway and the Male LUTS Patient Pathway provide essential guidance to both primary care providers and patients. These pathways help ensure a thorough assessment of LUTS, tailored to the type and severity of symptoms. By following these pathways, patients can benefit from a more personalized approach to managing their symptoms, leading to better outcomes and improved well-being.
These pathways were co-designed with primary care physicians, urologists and geriatricians in Alberta.
Reminder to join: The SPARK tool implementation study
The University of Calgary’s Screening for Poverty and Related Social Determinants to Improve Knowledge of and Links to Resources (SPARK) project is looking for primary care practices in Calgary and the surrounding areas that are interested in collecting social determinants of health information from patients through the SPARK Tool, an electronic survey tool used across Canada. As part of this study, SPARK will help co-design the best way to adopt the tool and use social data in your practice. Compensation for a lead physician at each practice will be provided.
- Click here for more information or contact: sapcren@ucalgary.ca.