|
|
|
|
Primary Care Alberta Clinical Updates
|
|
|
- Symptoms
- Complications
- Prevention and control – including immunization eligibility and post-exposure prophylaxis
- Treatment options
Measles: Standing exposure advisories in North Zone
AHS has released a standing measles exposure advisory for three locations in the AHS North Zone: The Hamlet of La Crete, St. Theresa General Hospital in Fort Vermillion and the Northwest Health Centre in High Level. Site-specific exposure advisories will no longer be issued for those locations. Residents in those areas are reminded to take steps to protect themselves and their families against measles.
Reminder: Measles exposure location resource
Reminder: You can find a list of current measles exposure sites in Alberta on the AHS website, searchable by city/town. Note that each exposure on the list is accompanied by a date until which symptoms should be monitored. The “monitor until” date is typically 21 days after the exposure date, since the measles rash can appear up to 21 days after exposure.
Lab bulletin: Ordering changes for CBC and differential
Changes have been made for ordering CBC and differentials within a 24-hour period. If a clinic has already ordered a single CBC and differential for a patient and decides to repeat the order within 24 hours, the differential will not be completed again within the 24-hour timeframe.
Lab bulletin: New ordering process for stool kits
APL is requesting that clinics stop submitting orders for stool kits to ProvLab, and that they order instead from the AHS online ordering portal at: AHS Supplies Ordering (login required).
Lab bulletin: Routine C. diphtheriae toxin testing discontinued for skin infections
AHS has discontinued routine toxin testing for Corynebacterium diphtheriae in cutaneous (skin) specimens. While rare, this organism can be associated with chronic wounds, particularly in patients with travel history to endemic regions or poor access to hygiene. Primary care providers involved in wound care should be aware that toxin testing will now require prior consultation with a microbiologist or infectious disease specialist.
New Discharge Planning Guide for Indigenous clients
The First Nation Indigenous Health Branch (Indigenous Services Canada, Alberta region) has release a new Discharge Planning Guide to better support Indigenous clients who are returning home to their Indigenous community after a hospital stay or after receiving care elsewhere in the province. It helps frontline healthcare providers facilitate services being in place for patients who require home care or other supports in a First Nation community.
New topic tab on Alberta's Pathway Hub: Hand and Wrist
Primary Care Alberta’s Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) and its clinical partners are pleased to share that a dedicated tab for hand and wrist pathways has recently been added to Alberta's Pathway Hub. Under this tab, you will find a suite of four hand- and wrist-focused clinical pathways (two of which have accompanying patient pathways), along with links to the Provincial Adult Orthopedic & Spine Referral Pathway and Provincial Plastic Surgery, Adult Referral Pathway. Each pathway has a link to a feedback survey, or you can email feedback to albertapathways@primarycarealberta.ca. - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Clinical pathway aims to reduce variation in care, provide best-practice guidance on conservative management strategies for CTS, and outline when and how to refer to for CTS surgery. An accompanying patient pathway is available (Your Journey with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).
- Trigger Finger: Clinical pathway describes when the condition warrants surgical treatment. Importantly, there are splinting and steroid guidelines to follow in the conservative management of trigger finger. An accompanying patient pathway is available (Your Journey with Trigger Finger).
- Soft Tissue Mass: Clinical pathway supports the management and differentiation of simple cystic masses (e.g., ganglion cysts) and solid masses that are suspected to be either benign or malignant.
- Dupuytren’s Disease: Clinical pathway lists two additional reasons for referral beyond a positive Heuston’s Tabletop test. Those are painful nodules and impacts on daily living. Conservative management is limited to trials of steroids with painful nodules only. There are no other therapeutic or physiotherapy approaches for this progressive fibroproliferative disorder.
Explore more pathways at www.albertapathways.ca.
New Access to Information Act: What primary care teams should know
The Alberta government has updated Access to Information Act came into effect in June 2025, replacing previous FOIP-related processes for accessing government-held records. The Act clarifies how public bodies – including health organizations – must respond to information requests, with defined timelines, roles and exceptions. Primary care clinics that are part of, or work closely with, public bodies should be aware of their responsibilities under the Act, especially regarding patient records and third-party information.
Changes to COVID-19 vaccination program
This fall, Alberta’s government will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge to the following high-risk groups:
- Residents of seniors supportive living accommodations and home care clients.
- Individuals six months of age and older with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, or in congregate living accommodations.
- Albertans on social programs (i.e., AISH, income supports, those experiencing homelessness).
For all other Albertans there will be a cost, and the program will be rolled out in the fall in four phases. The program will include the following additional changes: - Vaccine locations: The vaccine will only be available through public health clinics, not community pharmacies.
- Costs for seniors: The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all Albertans 65 years of age and older, but they will be required to cover the full costs of the vaccine. Work is underway to determine what the final cost will be per vaccine.
- Costs for other Albertans: Remaining COVID-19 vaccines will be available to other Albertans who will be required to pay the full costs of the vaccine.
- Pre-ordering: Starting September 11, eligible Albertans can signal their intent to receive the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines by pre-ordering through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System.
- Primary care provider advice: The Alberta government is recommending that Albertans talk to their primary care provider to determine the best course of action for their vaccination needs.
See the full news release.
New: Measles communications toolkit
The government of Alberta has released a set of communications resources to support those working with children, volunteers, parents and families to stay informed and help prevent measles outbreaks. These tools may be useful to hand out and post in clinics. To view resources, go to the government of Alberta measles webpage and scroll all the way down. Resources include: - Poster: Don’t get measles. Get immunized.
- Social media posts and graphics
- Fact sheets
Salmonella outbreak in Canada linked to salami
As of June 11, Alberta has reported 44 confirmed cases of Salmonella infection linked to several brands of salami, as part of a national outbreak affecting 57 individuals. The outbreak strain is multi-drug resistant. While most healthy individuals recover without treatment, vulnerable populations – including young children, older adults, and immunocompromised patients – may experience severe illness. |
|
|
© 2025 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
|
|
|
