Alberta Aids to Daily Living Program

Due to COVID-19, service times may vary. Call to confirm.

This Government of Alberta funded program assesses people for funding for benefits like wheelchairs, walkers, bathing equipment, wound supplies, and compression stockings.

Ambulatory Services

Provides day procedures which include:

• ventolin treatments
• cast changes
• medicine that needs to be given by intravenous (IV)

Also provides access to these clinics:

• adult pulmonary clinic
• brace (orthotics and limbs) clinic
• nephrology clinic
• obstetrics and gynecology
• surgical clinic
• orthopedics
• phlebotomy clinic

Audiology Services

This services:

• provides hearing screening and testing
• evaluates hearing aids
• offers teaching for hearing devices and auditory training,
• counsells people and their families who are affected by hearing loss.

You may be referred to an Edmonton clinic if there isn’t a local appointment available.

Bicycle and Wheeled Safety

Provides education to cyclists, school staff, recreation staff, parents, and community volunteers about why bicycle helmets are mandatory equipment for all cyclists under the age of 18 in Alberta and how to wear a helmet properly. More information and resources about bicycle and wheeled safety are available here.

Breastfeeding Clinic

Free service that supports breastfeeding mothers and mothers with breastfeeding issues due to:

• not making enough milk
• plugged ducts
• mastitis
• thrush
• latching issues
• poor infant weight gain
• breast reduction surgery
• adoptive nursing

Cafeteria Services

Cafeteria services offer food and beverages at Alberta Health Services facilities. Catering services and vending machines are available at some sites. Each cafeteria services site team is dedicated to creating great food, inspiring healthy eating, and providing outstanding customer service to support the health of Albertans.

**Please note hours of operation may vary from site to site.

Cardiac Diagnostics - Stress Testing

Cardiac stress test is a physician referred test used to measure the heart’s response to exercise on a treadmill in a controlled and supervised clinical environment. Standard cardiac stress testing compares the continuous ECG, the blood pressure measurements and patient’s physical response to the exercise to determine if the patient has CAD (coronary artery disease). The results can be interpreted as a reflection of one’s general physical condition, used to diagnose heart blood flow disease, and for patient prognosis after a heart attack. If the patient’s results are not conclusive, the physician may recommend a MIBI standard stress test or a Persantine MIBI stress test.

Community Health Centres

Services include immunization and public health nursing.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program

Alberta's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program is a provincial screening program that identifies permanent hearing loss as early as possible in a baby's life. This ensures that babies and families receive timely follow-up and support sooner to optimize developmental outcomes.

Services include:

• Screening babies for hearing loss by 1 month of age
• Diagnosing permanent hearing loss by 3 months of age
• Ensuring access to intervention by 6 months of age

For more information, visit our website

Emergency Services

If you have an emergency, call 911.

Emergency departments:

• take care of people that are very sick or injured on a priority basis. This means the sickest people are seen first. If you go to an emergency department for care that isn't urgent, you will not likely be seen right away.
• provide medical care, which includes assessment and treatment
• stabilize people and get them ready to transport to a higher level of care facility (if needed)
• provide follow-up care including referrals to a family doctor or specialist (if needed)

Emergency Department wait times are now available for Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

Get the right care when you need it, to learn more visit Know Your Options

This service may be impacted by the COVID pandemic. View the Hours of Operations to see if the location has been impacted. Visit https://ahs.ca/covid for up-to-date information.

Environmental Public Health - Disease: Communicable, Rabies, Food Borne Illness

This service:

• investigates cases and outbreaks of illness, which are caused by germs like E. coli, salmonella, and Giardia (beaver fever) to find out the cause and prevent other people from getting sick
• investigates people with vomiting and diarrhea who don’t know how they got sick
• provides follow-up for animal bites (dogs, cats, bats, and other animals) to make sure people don’t get rabies
• investigates single cases and/or outbreaks of many diseases including botulism, hantavirus, norovirus, shigella, and Q fever

For more information visit Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Drinking Water

Inspects public water supplies, reviews water sample results, and issues water advisories if needed. You can get water testing supplies (sample bottles) and shipping information from your local Community Health Centre. Testing for municipalities and private home owners is done through the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health and Alberta Centre for Toxicology. If there is E. coli or total coliform bacteria in your sample, you will be contacted right away in most parts of the province.

May advise private homeowners about how safe their well, cistern, or dugout water is and talk about treatment options if needed.

Does drinking water testing for bacteria through the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health, Environmental Microbiology Services, which checks for:

• E. coli bacteria (shows if water is contaminated with sewage or fecal matter)
• total coliform bacteria (helps determine the integrity of the water source)

Chemical water testing of untreated ground water for private households is done by The Alberta Centre for Toxicology which checks for many different things including bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, and magnesium.

Your water sample requisition may be reviewed before your sample is sent to the right place for testing. This is to make sure your water supply is eligible for testing.

Sample Bottle Pick-up and Drop-off locations in Alberta.

• North Zone
• Edmonton Zone
• Central Zone
• Calgary
• Rural Calgary
• South Zone

For more information visit the Environment Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Education

Answers general environmental public health questions about topics like safe cooking, pest problems, and mould.

Offers classes, courses, presentations, and displays on many environmental public health topics. They are suited to the audience’s needs. Information can be in-person, online, or in home study, and may be available in other languages. Some services offered are:

• bed bugs presentations
• courses for childcare facility staff
• courses to operate temporary food concessions at fairs, festivals, exhibitions, carnivals, or other special events
• displays at trade shows and expos
• food sanitation and hygiene courses (the AHS Food Safety Course is required by Alberta’s Food Regulation)
• hand washing and personal hygiene presentations
• home study on food safety (a certificate in basic food safety may be issued)
• swimming pool operators course
• 3-hour courses on food safety (a certificate in basic food safety may be issued)

For more information visit our website.

Environmental Public Health - Housing and Illegal Drug Operations

Requires that owners / operators / landlords / property managers keep public housing healthy and safe for tenants. The service follows up on complaints from tenants or other agencies about housing conditions which may include no heat, water problems, structure problems, or pest problems (mice or other rodents, bed bugs or other insects). If conditions could be dangerous to tenants, they may need to move out. The service works with landlords to fix or remove problems. The service can also order dangerous conditions to be fixed like houses used for illegal drug operations (e.g., marijuana grow ops, meth labs).

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - New Business and Plan Approval

Reviews and approves plans for building or renovating restaurants or other food establishments, swimming pools, social care facilities (e.g., daycares and nursing homes), and personal service facilities (e.g., tattoo studios, spas).

Reviews plans for special events (e.g., fairs, exhibitions, or carnivals) to make sure the right services are available (including washrooms and hand wash stations).

Issues permits and licenses needed for some facilities to operate like:

• a Food Handling Permit for food establishments open to the public
• a Public Swimming Pools Regulation License for swimming pools open to the public

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Orders, Disclosure and Legal Activity

This service inspects public places. When needed, is granted the power by The Public Health Act to order dangerous conditions to be fixed, removed, destroyed, or declared unfit.

Public health inspectors are designated as executive officers under the Public Health Act (RSA Chapter P-37) and enforce these regulations and standards:

• Artificial Tanning Regulation
• Bodies of Deceased Persons Regulation (AR 135/2008)
• Communicable Diseases Regulation (AR 238/1985)
• Food Regulation (AR 31/2006)
• Food Retail and Foodservices Code
• Housing Regulation (AR 173/1999)
• Institutions Regulation (AR 143/1981)
• Minimum Housing and Health Standards
• Nuisance and General Sanitation Regulation (AR 243/2003)
• Personal Services Regulation (AR 1/2020)
• Personal Services Standards
• Recreation Area Regulation (AR 198/2004)
• Pool Standards
• Public Swimming Pools Regulation (204/2014)
• Standards for Artificial Tanning Facility Signage
• Waiver Regulation (AR 298/2003)
• Work Camps Regulation (AR 218/2002)

For more information visit Health Enforcement Orders

Environmental Public Health - Personal Services

Prevents illness and infection from spreading by:

• reviewing plans for new businesses
• approving facilities before they open
• doing inspections to make sure practices followed are safe and facilities are maintained as regulation requires
• investigating any complaints from clients.

The requirements of the Personal Services Regulation and its related Health Standards and Guidelines apply to services which offer:

• barbering
• body and ear piercing (using guns or needles)
• body wraps
• branding
• chemical hair colouring, straightening and curling
• chemical peels
• cosmetic cryotherapy
• cryolipolysis (cool sculpting)
• dermal jewelry anchoring
• dermal filler injection
• dermal rolling
• earlobe stretching
• electrolysis
• esthetic cupping
• eyebrow threading
• face and body painting
• facial and body waxing
• facials
• hair extension
• haircutting and hairstyling
• henna
• lash and brow tinting
• lash extension
• laser and cosmetic tattoo removal
• laser hair re-growth and restoration
• laser hair removal
• manicure
• microblading
• microderm abrasion
• mud treatments
• neuromodulator injection (botox)
• pedicure
• permanent make-up
• scarification
• shaving
• skin exfoliation
• spray tanning
• tattooing
• teeth whitening
• tooth decoration
• ultraviolet (UV) tanning (tanning beds)
• vaginal rejuvenation

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Recreational Water

Keeps the public from getting sick when using recreational water by:

• approving pool plans
• inspecting pools and other water facilities to ensure water is safe and sanitary
• teaching operators about proper pool maintenance
• reviewing water sample results (local community health centres may accept water samples for testing for E. coli, total coliforms, and Pseudomonas)

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health page.

Environmental Public Health - Risks: Indoor Air, Outdoor Air, Contaminated Sites

Responds to and investigates health risks from activities like sour gas wells, forest fires, and accidental releases of gasoline, pesticides, or other chemicals.

Reviews and makes recommendations to approving authorities regarding proposed land use developments (e.g., intensive livestock operations, industrial plants, or developments on contaminated sites).

Responds to complaints and investigates indoor air in residences, schools, malls, swimming pools, or other public places. Will also respond to and investigate complaints about outdoor air.

For more information visit our website.

Environmental Public Health - Safe Food

Inspects public food facilities (e.g., restaurants, mobile food trucks, grocery stores, kitchens in daycares and nursing homes) to make sure food is prepared safely.

Applies Food Regulation requirements in public food facilities or operations to areas like:

• bed and breakfast facilities
• commercial caterers
• community organization functions (when food is prepared for the public by volunteers)
• convenience stores and fast food restaurants
• restaurants, delis, and mobile food vendors
• farmers’ markets (licensed by Alberta Agriculture) and their stallholders
• food banks
• food facilities in halls and churches that may be rented to the public
• daycares, nursing homes, group homes, and other care facilities with over 10 clients that offer food service
• grocery stores
• private homes from which low risk home-prepared foods are sold
• temporary food facilities at special events (e.g., fairs, festivals, exhibitions, carnivals, rodeos)
• work-camp food facilities

This program offers guidance but will not apply Food Regulation requirements at private functions like:

• bake sales when low risk foods are sold for charity
• food prepared in a private home for family and guests
• potlucks and other functions not open to the public

For more information visit our website.

Environmental Public Health - Social Care

Reviews plans for new businesses and approves facilities as requested by Children's Services, Inspects many adult and childcare facilities routinely and follows up on complaints from clients or their families. May also provide education for staff in social care facilities.

Applies the requirements of various regulations under the Public Health Act and the CSA Standards in social care facilities including:

• daycares and foster homes
• drop-in centres and shelters
• group family day homes and group homes
• long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and seniors’ lodges
• preschools and out-of-school care
• playgrounds

For more information visit our website

Environmental Public Health - Work Camps

Inspects work camps of all sizes, including camps that move around Alberta or stay in one place. This includes camps used for any type of business (e.g., oil exploration and development, logging, tree planting). Inspections check that food is safely prepared, water is safe to drink, sewage is properly treated and disposed of, and housing conditions are safe.

Teaches companies about requirements for work camps.

Investigates complaints from people living at work camps.

For more information the Environmental Public Health website

Environmental Public Health Program

Work to keep public places (e.g., restaurants, daycares, pools, rental properties, tattoo studios) safe. Tell people about health risks (e.g., unsafe water or housing). Make sure that the Public Health Act is being followed.

Our services include:

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Equipment Loan Program

Due to COVID-19, service times may vary. Call to confirm.

Provides short-term loans of medical equipment for people who are recovering from surgery or need palliative care so they can live in their own homes. Equipment loans include:

• wheelchairs, walkers, and canes
• hospital beds
• moveable toilets, raised toilet seats, and toilet armrests
• transfer benches, bath seats, and grab bars

General Medicine

Offers care and treatment for health problems such as:

• diabetes
• pneumonia
• asthma
• heart problems
• severe infections
• kidney / gall stones
• pain in the abdomen
• cancer
• arthritis

General Nephrology Clinic - Alberta Kidney Care - North

Services provided may include:

• prevent and treat causes of kidney problems
• keep kidneys working at their best
• slow progress to end-stage kidney disease

The Rural General Nephrology Clinics are offered in some rural communities to help more people get service without having to travel. Clinics are offered in:

• High Level
• Grande Prairie
• Peace River
• Whitecourt
• Westlock
• St. Paul

General Radiography (X-Ray)

General Radiography uses x-rays to produce images of the structures inside the body, particularly bones. X-ray beams can pass through the body, but they are absorbed in different amounts depending on the density of the material they pass through.

Health Information - Access and Disclosure

In accordance with Alberta's Health Information Act, this is a service which enables the release of individually identifiable health information with or without the consent of an individual.

For detailed instructions, frequently asked questions and forms, please visit Access & Disclosure | Alberta Health Services.

Health Information / Records Management

Completes patient charts, collects data, data entry and coding, collects patient information, dictates notes, and transcribes inpatient and outpatient charts.

Hemodialysis - Alberta Kidney Care - North

Provides hemodialysis treatments (a process where the client’s blood is passed through a special filter that removes waste products and water).

Most people need 3 treatments every week. Each treatment lasts 4 hours.

Home Care

Home Care helps people who live at home and need support such as:

• Care after surgery
• Long-term care
• Palliative care
• Respite services

A case manager, who is usually a nurse, will meet with the clients and help decide what services will best support them.

Hospitals

To access contact information and a list of services offered, select a hospital.

Search through a complete list of progams and services, or hospital and facility information with the following:

Find Healthcare:

• Progams & Services
• Hospitals & Facilities

Immunization - School Services

Each year, Alberta Health Services, Public Health reviews immunization records for students in grades 1, 6, and 9 to see what immunizations each student needs. A consent form is then sent home with an information sheet for each vaccine recommended for the student. No immunizations will be given in school without consent from a parent or legal guardian. Immunizations in this program include:

• Grades 1, 6, and 9: Any routine childhood and school vaccines that may have been missed according to a review of the students immunization record on file
• Grade 6: Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine for students who have not already completed a hepatitis B immunization series and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine
• Grade 9: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (dTap) and meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y, W-135) conjugate vaccine

Laboratory Services

Effective December 5, 2022, walk-in or pre-scheduled appointments will no longer be accepted at select locations.

For information on service restrictions or to book an appointment, visit APL Appointments & Booking.

Laboratory Services provides collection of blood and body fluids for tests ordered by your doctor or healthcare provider including a comprehensive range of routine and specialized lab testing and clinical consultations:

• blood and body fluid sample collection
• biochemistry and toxicology
• electrocardiogram (ECG)
• genetics and genomics
• urinalysis
• transfusion medicine
• hematology
• coagulation studies
• microbiology
• public health testing
• serology
• surgical pathology
• cytopathology
• autopsy pathology
• student practicum training for medical lab technologists and medical lab assistants

Note: Some locations may not offer the full range of testing. To confirm availability of a specific test, contact the location.

Linen & Environmental Services

Cleans acute and continuing care facilities according to standards set by Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Health Services (AHS) infection control.
Services include:

• waste management
• managing outside contracts (e.g. door mats, windows, pest control)
• managing cleaning contracts for leased space
• providing personal laundry services to north zone long term care clients at their request.

Nutrition Counselling - Adult and Pediatric

The majority of teaching is one-to-one, however, group sessions may be offered to promote enhanced learning of clients. Nutrition information and resources can be found on Alberta health Services’ Healthy Eating Starts Here and at MyHealth.Alberta.ca

Additional Services:

• Nutrition Counselling (Dietitian) - Alberta Healthy Living Program
• Pediatric Weight Management

Nutrition Counselling - Pediatric Weight Management

In the Outpatient Dietitian Counselling program, families work one-on-one with a registered dietitian (dietitian) trained in Pediatric Weight Management. The dietitian will help the family work on healthy eating and active living habits and set realistic goals that focus on creating a healthy lifestyle. Areas of focus include nutrition, physical activity, sedentary time and sleep.

The dietitian and the family’s healthcare provider work together to ensure the family is supported in achieving their health goals. They can also assist in connecting the family with other supports as needed, such as physical activity, mental health, and community services.

The program’s aim is to help families achieve a lifestyle that promotes healthy growth and development in their children.

For more information visit the Outpatient Dietitian Counselling website.

Obstetrics

Provides care for pregnant women who are low-risk and more than 36 weeks, which may include:

• fetal monitoring
• labour induction
• non-stress testing
• epidural
• C-section surgery (elective, urgent, and emergency)

Cares for babies and provides breastfeeding support if needed.

Go to a community health centre in your area for any prenatal concerns and follow-up after you deliver your baby.

For more information, visit the Prenatal website.

Some services and key providers may not be available at all locations.

Occupational Therapy Services

Offers occupational therapy to help people who have brain injuries, strokes, heart disorders, or serious injuries learn new ways to do their work, leisure, and day-to-day activities.

This service also:

• works with Alberta Aids to Daily Living to provide approval for equipment and adaptive aids
• helps with disability tax credit forms
• approves applications for parking placards for people with disabilities

Pastoral Care Services

Offers compassionate support and response to patients, residents, families, and healthcare providers in time of need while respecting the person's faith, religion, and practice.

Services may include:

• hospital visitation
• On Call Spiritual Care Adviser

Patient Food Services

Patient Food Services overarching objectives are to:

• Offer quality food and food choice, to support Patient Centered Care
• Work with the whole care team to ensure that Food Matters
• Foster a positive meal experience that results in enjoyment of meals, as well as improved satisfaction and food intake that supports recovery
• Provide menus that are based on “Canada’s Food Guide” and that are adaptable for therapeutic requirements
• Offer appealing food that encourages eating for health
• Provide meal service styles appropriate to the patient population (e.g. tray service, dining room service) and meal delivery systems that support safe high quality food served at appropriate temperatures to the correct patient / resident

PFS delivers more than 31,000 patient/resident meals each day within AHS facilities.

Patient Information

Services offered:

• responding to patient location inquires
• providing direction on a patients whereabouts

Pharmacy Services

Collaborates and interacts with healthcare service providers to provide clinical services and medications to patients in hospital and long-term care facilities.

Physical Therapy Services

Assesses people and uses exercises, ultrasound, laser, heat, mobilization, and acupuncture to treat health issues, including:

• pain and arthritis
• work-related and traumatic injuries
• lung and heart conditions
• cancer
• stroke, spinal cord issues, and Parkinson’s Disease

Postpartum Depression Support

Supports women and families experiencing postpartum depression (PPD).

Prenatal Classes

Services include:

• prenatal classes
• prenatal breast-feeding classes
• information sessions are available through AHS public health
• prenatal information sessions are offered via Zoom once a month
• a chance to meet other people in the community expecting a baby
• knowledge of what to expect during your labor and delivery
• breathing and relaxation techniques
• immunization and infant safety information
• providing your support person with the skills to help with labor and delivery
• increased breastfeeding knowledge
• newborn and postpartum care
• what resources are available for yourself and your newborn
• answer questions about your pregnancy, diet, and childbirth plans

 Prenatal Online Information:

• AHS - Prenatal
• I'm Pregnant
• A Healthy Pregnancy

 Classes may be in the evenings or on Saturdays. Please be advised not all locations offer all services.

Registration

Patient Registration

• registers and pre-registers patients and collects demographic and financial information.
• registers patients for inpatient admissions, ambulatory clinic appointment, and emergency department services

Respiratory Therapy Clinic

Due to COVID-19, service times may vary. Call to confirm.

Services include:

• home oxygen assessments
• arterial blood gases (ABGs)
• respiratory education (Asthma & COPD)
• spirometry
• tobacco cessation
• artificial airway management
• trach change
• sputum induction

School Health Program

Provides healthcare in schools.

Services include:

• immunizations
• education and consultations about contagious diseases

Sexual Health Services

North Zone Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinics are only seeing clients in clinic, for the following concerns:

• KNOWN STI and need treatment
• contact to a known STI and need testing/treatment
• symptoms of an STI
• routine STI Screening
• emergency contraceptive pill
• vaccinations

Some services may not be available at all sites, please call ahead to confirm.

Social Work

Services may include:

• refer and liaise with appropriate community and government agencies
• collaborate with other healthcare providers (discharge planning, family conferences)
• provide counselling and crisis intervention
• provide information/education on important resources and legislation (e.g., Personal Directives, Guardianship, Trusteeship, Child Welfare and Protection for Persons in Care)

Special Care Unit

Treats people with a wide variety of serious health issues (e.g., cardiovascular events, head injuries, drug overdoses).

Switchboard

These services include:

• answering incoming telephone calls
• transferring telephone calls and
• giving out authorized telephone numbers

Traffic Safety

Community Health Services staff, local RCMP and the Office of traffic Safety work together to improve the wear rates of seat belts and child safety seats.

Travel Health Services

The Edmonton and Calgary clinics are currently closed.

If you are seeking immunization services, please contact a private travel health clinic, your doctor or local pharmacist.

If you are a post-secondary healthcare student seeking immunization and / or a tuberculin skin test for your healthcare training program, please contact your educational institution to confirm if provincially funded immunizations are available through this institution. Alternatively, you can contact a private travel health clinic, your doctor or local pharmacist to obtain immunizations for a fee.

Please note:ROUTINE CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONcontinues to be offered through community health centres / public health offices, at this time. Please call your local community health centre/public health office, for information.

Tuberculosis Testing

Offers free tuberculosis (TB) skin testing to eligible Albertans. The Mantoux skin test is not recommended to diagnose TB.

Testing is done at public health centres throughout the province:

• North Zone
• Edmonton Zone
• Central Zone
• Calgary Zone
• South Zone

If you are not eligible for free testing but still need to be tested there will be a charge for the test.

For travel or work related TB testing contact the Travel Health Services in your area. With the exception of Edmonton, you would contact the Immunization Business Unit to have school or work-related TB skin testing done.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is an imaging test that captures images of soft tissue organs, blood vessels and tissues using high-frequency sound waves (no radiation). Ultrasound is also known as sonography.

Not all tests are offered at all sites. Call the location for more information.

Volunteer Resources

Our volunteer roles share a commitment to improving the quality of the patient and family experience.

Volunteers are:

• way-finders who help guide patients and families around our busy facilities,
• friendly visitors who spend time with our socially isolated patients,
• patient and family advisors who provide input and direction to AHS on numerous committees,
• supporters of our volunteer retail operations - where the proceeds are returned to AHS to provide patient care and comfort.

For general information about volunteering with AHS please visit our website.

Well Baby Clinic

Provides immunizations for babies and young children.

Services include information about:

• breastfeeding
• normal sleep patterns
• child growth and development
• nutrition
• child safety

New mothers are also offered postpartum depression screening.

For more information please visitImmunize Alberta.