Primary Care Alberta Clinical Updates - June 25, 2026

Hand and wrist osteoarthritis patient pathway available

The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is happy to share that the patient pathway, Your Journey with Hand and Wrist Osteoarthritis, is now available. This pathway aligns with the Provincial Hand and Wrist Osteoarthritis Primary Care Clinical Pathway and is the latest addition to the suite of hand and wrist pathways.

Feedback Opportunity:
The PPU is seeking support from primary care providers and families to review the hand and wrist osteoarthritis pathways and share feedback at: albertapathways@primarycarealberta.ca.
   
Two new urinary tract pathways
  
Primary Care Alberta’s Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is pleased to announce the release of two new provincial clinical pathways:

Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (FLUTS)
Prevention of Female Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Infection (rLUTI).
Corresponding patient pathways are being finalized and will be available soon.

Feedback Opportunity:
The PPU is seeking support from primary care providers to review these new clinical pathways and share feedback at albertapathways@primarycarealberta.ca.
 
Alberta Virtual Pain Program fax number update
  
The Alberta Virtual Pain Program (AVPP), formerly under Primary Care Alberta, has transitioned to Recovery Alberta. While there is no change to the way referrals are accepted, the fax number for referrals has been updated to 403-355-0666. Please ensure your records reflect this change for future referrals.

AVPP is a virtual education treatment program for people in Alberta experiencing persistent pain for longer than three months.

For more information, visit Alberta Virtual Pain Program or email AVPP@recoveryalberta.ca.

Changes to parking placard program for people with disabilities
 
For physicians and nurse practitioners who may be asked to assess and certify patients for eligibility for parking placards, please note the following updates from the Government of Alberta on the parking placard program. These changes are designed to improve accessibility and reduce barriers for patients with disabilities.

The updated program introduces expanded eligibility to include individuals with vision loss, aligning Alberta with other jurisdictions.

Eligibility includes individuals unable to walk more than 50 meters (164 feet) or who have loss of vision that substantially limits safe and independent mobility while navigating parking areas.

Physicians and nurse practitioners continue to play a key role in assessing and certifying eligibility.

Get more information.

Alberta funds groundbreaking drug for rare disease
  
Alberta’s government now covers Sotatercept, giving patients living with pulmonary arterial hypertension access to life-changing treatment at no cost.

Find out more.

Mobile mammography services: June & July
 
Primary Care Alberta’s Screen Test program will be at the following locations to provide screening mammograms to eligible individuals aged 45 to 74.

Sundre: Sundre Aquaplex, 105 2 Ave. NW, June 22-27.
Athabasca: Athabasca Community Health Services (Health Unit), 3401 48 Ave., June 29-30.
Diamond Valley: Oilfields Hospital, 717 Government Road, July 2-4.
Spirit River: Central Peace Health Complex, 5010 45 Ave., July 2-3 & July 6-11.
Pincher Creek: Ranchland Mall parking lot, 1300 Hewetson Ave., July 6-10.
Taber: Taber Heritage Inn & Conference Centre, 4830 46 Ave., July 11 & 13-15.
High Level: Northwest Health Centre, 11202 100 Ave., July 14-16.
Bow Island: Bow Island Provincial Building, 802 6 St. East, July 16-17.
John D’Or Prairie: John D’Or Prairie Health Centre, July 21.
La Crete: La Crete Continuing Care Centre, 10601 100 Ave., July 22-23.
Milk River: Prairie Rose Lodge, 117 3 Ave. NW (North side of lodge), July 24-25.
Fort Vermilion: Fort Vermilion Community Health Centre, 4804 50 St., July 28.
 
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.

Lab bulletins:
 

Lab bulletin (Edmonton suburban hospitals): Changes to sample transport for ammonia testing

Effective Feb. 19, if ammonia is ordered at an acute care site that does not perform testing onsite, samples will be frozen and sent on scheduled couriers. This is a change from being automatically sent by stat transportation, and applies to Edmonton area suburban hospitals. A list of impacted sites is available in the lab bulletin. If results for ammonia are required stat at the impacted sites, please contact the laboratory to request stat transportation.

Lab bulletin (Edmonton suburban hospitals): Changes to sample transport for ammonia testing

Effective Feb. 19, if ammonia is ordered at an acute care site that does not perform testing onsite, samples will be frozen and sent on scheduled couriers. This is a change from being automatically sent by stat transportation, and applies to Edmonton area suburban hospitals. A list of impacted sites is available in the lab bulletin. If results for ammonia are required stat at the impacted sites, please contact the laboratory to request stat transportation.

Lab bulletin (Edmonton suburban hospitals): Changes to sample transport for ammonia testing

Effective Feb. 19, if ammonia is ordered at an acute care site that does not perform testing onsite, samples will be frozen and sent on scheduled couriers. This is a change from being automatically sent by stat transportation, and applies to Edmonton area suburban hospitals. A list of impacted sites is available in the lab bulletin. If results for ammonia are required stat at the impacted sites, please contact the laboratory to request stat transportation.

Lab bulletin (Edmonton suburban hospitals): Changes to sample transport for ammonia testing

Effective Feb. 19, if ammonia is ordered at an acute care site that does not perform testing onsite, samples will be frozen and sent on scheduled couriers. This is a change from being automatically sent by stat transportation, and applies to Edmonton area suburban hospitals. A list of impacted sites is available in the lab bulletin. If results for ammonia are required stat at the impacted sites, please contact the laboratory to request stat transportation.
© 2026 Alberta Medical Association; All rights reserved

The opinions expressed in AMA publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Alberta Medical Association, its Board of Directors or members.

The Alberta Medical Association does not assume responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in these materials. Advertisements included in our publications are not necessarily endorsed by the Alberta Medical Association.

The Association reserves the right to edit any submissions that are accepted to appear in any of our publications or platforms. Please consult our editorial guidelines for tips on submissions or advertising.

Our mailing address is:
12230 106 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T5N 3Z1
Canada