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Primary Care Alberta Clinical Updates - February 26, 2026
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Bicillin L-A (Benzathine Penicillin G) shortage: Interim Alberta infectious syphilis guidanceThe Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services announced on Feb. 18 that there is a national shortage of Bicillin L-A. Until supply stabilizes, the following interim clinical direction (aligned with PHAC guidance) applies across the province: Bicillin L-A will be prioritized for: - Pregnant cases and pregnant contacts of cases, and
- Cases and contacts likely to be lost to follow up.
Recommended treatment of all other adult cases of infectious syphilis: - Doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x 14 days.
Recommended treatment of all other adult cases of late latent syphilis: - Doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x 28 days.
Due to limited supply: - Peripheral and community clinics will receive smaller allocations of Bicillin L-A, and
- Clinics are asked to place small, incremental orders to avoid stock-outs.
For patient treatment history, case consultation, or to order Bicillin L-A, contact STI Centralized Services at 1-855-945-6700 (option 4). Alberta is collaborating with Health Canada to explore procurement of imported benzathine penicillin until regular supply resumes. Your continued collaboration in ensuring safe and effective syphilis treatment during this national shortage is appreciated.
Primary Care Alberta’s Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU), in partnership with the cross-agency Pediatric Rehabilitation group, is pleased to announce the launch of the Autism in Infants and Young Children Primary Care Clinical Pathway. This pathway was co-designed to support early identification and intervention for signs of autism. A corresponding family and caregiver pathway has also been developed and is expected to be available in March 2026.
Poison prevention resources National Poison Prevention Week is March 15–21 and the theme is #RethinkPoisons. The campaign will focus on the importance of safely using and storing over-the-counter medications and natural health products. How can you get involved?
Lab bulletin: Removal of Enter/Edit functionality for POCT urinalysis test entry in EpicEffective Feb. 24, the “enter/edit” functionality in Epic (Connect Care) for Point of Care Testing (POCT) Urinalysis Dipstick (Manual) test result entry will be removed as part of the phased approach to remove all “enter/edit” POCT functionality. If your clinical area performs supported POCT Urinalysis Dipstick (Manual) testing, please use the AegisPOC Manual Test Result Entry workflow only.
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.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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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