In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, rural hospitals throughout Alberta are temporarily requiring “outpatients” (ie. anyone not in the hospital currently receiving care) to make appointments by phone or by e-mail before coming in for lab work.
The new restrictions took affect on May 4. The list of affected facilities include the Athabasca, Barrhead, Westlock, Boyle, Mayerthorpe and Swan Hills Healthcare Centres, along with facilities in many nearby communities.
The changes do not affect lab work for hospital “inpatients” (ie. people who are in the hospital) and everyone requiring laboratory work will still receive those tests.
Dr. Mark Joffe, vice president and medical director of clinical support services and provincial clinical excellence with Alberta Health Services (AHS), commented during a May 4 press conference that the restrictions are being introduced to make sure sites are not overloaded with visitors and there are opportunities for phyiscal distancing.
“This is really to ensure the safety of individuals coming for laboratory-testing as well as to ensure the safety of the staff who are present at the site,” Joffe said.
An AHS release further elaborates on this point: many rural health facilities offer the only laboratory services in their community and they often have small waiting areas.
Appointment-only lab work will improve safety for rural patients at high risk for severe illness, such as those with compromised immune systems.
Patients are encouraged to discuss the urgency of their lab work before booking appointments, which can be done by phone (1-833-572-0577) or online at https://aplappointments.ca/
When asked how long these restrictions might remain in place, Joffe said he could not give an exact date, adding that AHS is monitoring the situation very carefully to ensure the safety of all Albertans as the province moves to open up.
“For the short term, at least, we will be controlling access (to rural facilities) to ensure safety for all,” he said.
While these new restrictions are being introduced, last week also saw AHS proceed with a number of non-urgent surgeries that had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ll take a carefully-controlled and phased approach as we resume non-urgent surgeries,” said Minister of Health Tyler Shandro at the May 4 conference. “Patients who would be at greater risk if surgery was delayed any further will receive their care first.”
Shandro stressed that they will “take a step back” if they determine there is too much risk to proceed with non-urgent surgeries, adding that the safety of patients and health care providers remains the highest priority.
He also announced that independent allied health professionals like chiropractors, psychologists and physiotherapists would be permitted to resume operations.
Shandro said the province was working with the colleges of these professionals to develop guidelines for those who choose to restart their services, adding the decision to re-open rested with each individual operator.
“Every aspect of Alberta’s phased re-launch strategy puts the health of Albertans at the forefront,” he said.
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