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How does CII/CPAR inform patient care?
Community Encounter Digests, which share select information from the physician office to Netcare, are increasingly informing care decisions in emergency departments and hospitals. Community Information Integration and the Central Patient Attachment Registry (CII/CPAR) are transforming the way healthcare information is shared in Alberta.
Dr. Chris Le is a family physician in the Edmonton Zone who participates in CII/CPAR.
In the short video clip at the link below he describes how he believes CII/CPAR improves and informs patient care
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Summit 2022 - It's not too late to register!
Confused about Paxlovid?
Concerned about systemic racism?
There’s still time to register and attend ACFP’s Virtual Family Medicine Summit this weekend to learn about these topics and more!
Hit that Learn More button below for registration information and be a part of this valuable, annual family medicine event,
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Chronic Pain Gains - CMN ECHO series OPEN to all
The Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain & Addiction (CMN) is pleased to present the free learning opportunity: “Chronic Pain Gains in Alberta: An ECHO Series”.
Health care providers across Alberta are welcome!
Learn more about the series, register, and submit your cases for discussion at cmnalberta.com/ECHO.
For other CMN events, click the link below. |
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Recognizing excellence - the ACFP celebrates its 2021 recipients
The ACFP would like to congratulate Julie Saby and Logan Haynes on being the 2021 Family Medicine Student Leadership – Rising Star Award recipients.
Thank you for the dedication and enthusiasm that we know will shine in your future careers as family physicians.
Read more at the link below about these amazing physicians and how you can nominate a peer for their outstanding contributions. |
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COVID-19 Resources
Paxlovid™ Oral Antiviral COVID-19 treatment in long term care
For patients who may meet the Paxlovid™ eligibility criteria, the patient or a family member should call Health Link directly at 1-844-343-0971. If the patient is a resident at a long term facility, a primary care physician or nurse practitioner can call the number on their behalf. This will require the physician or nurse practitioner to obtain consent from the family before calling.
Visit this website for more information on outpatient COVID-19 treatments.
Expanded criteria for Sotrovimab or Paxlovid™
As of Feb. 15, 2022, the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 outpatient treatment options has expanded. These two treatments will now be offered to patients who are unvaccinated or have only received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and are 55 years of age and older, regardless of other health conditions.
For full criteria: COVID-19 Outpatient Treatment | Alberta Health Services.
Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine authorized
On Feb. 17, Health Canada authorized the Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine for use in people 18 years of age and over. It’s the first recombinant protein subunit vaccine authorized for use in Canada. This vaccine is a new option for people who have been unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine. Details are still to come on availability in Alberta.
More information: NACI Recommendations on the use of Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine (canada.ca).
Please email phc@ahs.ca with questions.
Doctor's note for international travel
The AMA has provided advice and a letter template (direct download) to support clinics receiving requests for a doctor's note for the purpose of international travel.
Updated: COVID-19 return to work guidance for community practices
In the second table in the document linked below, Isolation and Return/Remain to Work criteria was updated for unvaccinated close contacts: 10 days.
See the guidance document here. |
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Request to delay non-urgent blood testing
Alberta Precision Laboratories is asking healthcare providers to delay non-urgent blood testing due to a temporary shortage of disposable vials used to collect blood test samples across the province.
See the APL bulletin for details. Please email phc@ahs.ca with questions.
Connect Care identifiers and launch sequencing update
Connect Care continues to be one of Alberta Health Services’ highest organizational priorities. Upcoming launch dates have been confirmed, as follows:
- Launch 4 – May 28 – Sites in Calgary and Edmonton zones
- Launch 5 – November 6 – Sites in Calgary, Central and North zones; some provincial programs (including Cancer Care Alberta)
- Launch 6 – Spring 2023 – Calgary and provincial lab services; sites in Calgary, Edmonton and Central zones
AHS’ executive leadership continues to monitor the situation related to managing COVID-19, and should the launch dates change, the information will be shared through usual AHS channels. The final implementation, launch 9, is scheduled for Fall, 2024.
All community providers in Alberta need to act so that laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and other investigation results and reports are delivered correctly. As of February 2022, Connect Care identifiers have been distributed to providers and clinics throughout Alberta, via letter mail.
To confirm Connect Care IDs for providers and clinics, please visit: provideridlookup.ahs.ca.
Please start using Connect Care IDs immediately and continue to also include non-Connect Care IDs on requisitions. Read more.
Important changes to MyAHS Connect parental proxy access
AHS is changing how youth accounts in their online patient portal, MyAHS Connect, can be accessed by a parent or guardian via proxy access. Proxy access
(i.e., parents/guardians being able to view a youth’s health records) via MyAHS Connect will now automatically end when a youth turns 12 years of age.
This decision is expected to be met with sensitivity by some parents and guardians, especially within child health programs and family medicine clinics where MyAHS Connect proxy access has been offered since the Connect Care Wave 1 launch.
Community providers should be aware that information related to the care you provide to patients, including test results and prescriptions, may or may not be viewable by parents/youth in this situation.
Continue reading for the full communication including links to FAQs for physicians and patients.
NEW FIT mail out initiative
The Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program has introduced the FIT
(Fecal Immunochemical Test) Mail Out. This initiative reduces barriers for eligible Albertans, making it easier to access colorectal cancer screening using FIT. This is especially beneficial for individuals living in rural communities and those without a regular healthcare provider.
What’s new?
Average risk individuals aged 50 to 74 can now order a free FIT kit online at screeningforlife.ca or by calling AHS Screening Programs (1-866-727-3926 toll-free) and have it mailed to them – no requisition required. Alternatively, physicians can continue to provide patients with a requisition to pick up their FIT kit at a lab.
Completed tests must still be dropped off at a lab. Visit the health provider page on screeningforlife.ca for FAQs and additional resources.
Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program (vDPP) pilot study
Patients with prediabetes can participate in a virtual health coaching program to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Patients use a smartphone app and receive support from a coach to improve eating and physical activity behaviours. Recruitment is open until February 2023. There are only 400 spaces available and it is first come first serve.
Read more in the program overview and the primary care guide.
Email VDPP@ahs.ca for more information.
Help us understand the referral process for endoscopy for dyspepsia
The Physician Learning Program, in partnership with the Digestive Strategic Clinical Network, is conducting research to understand the thinking and decision-making processes of family physicians and specialists when they either refer for, or perform, endoscopy to investigate dyspepsia.
This would take 60 to 90 minutes of your time over Zoom video conferencing. Honorariums will be offered, and you will be eligible to claim non-certified Mainpro+ or MOC credits for your participation.
Contact Dr. Thea Luig for more information.
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