COVID-19 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Alberta Health Services has asked the ACFP to support regular updates to family physicians in Alberta regarding the outbreak of COVID-19. The ACFP along with Alberta Health Services (AHS), Alberta Medical Association (AMA), Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) continue to share the latest information through our communication channels as it becomes available. Most channels will direct you to the same one-stop resource on the AHS website at ahs.ca/covidPHC.

July 12, 2022 – Update on COVID-19 PCR Testing Program, Alberta Health

Simplified Guidance Tool

• This tool provides a summary of key policy changes, resources, contacts, and steps for managing COVID-19 symptoms in community practice

Navigating COVID: Adults and children

• This online Red-Amber-Green (RAG) tool is designed to help Albertans determine the care they need based on their symptoms and other contributing factors.

Provincial Pathways

COVID-19 Guidance for Community Providers

• Document highlights include a clinical pathway, risk assessment and testing in a COVID-19 Omicron Environment. As well as management of people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive results for Community Providers assessing and treating patients with respiratory symptoms.

Patient Self-reporting Positive Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) to Family Physician

• Family physicians are being asked by patients how to record their positive COVID tests. This is a current challenge within our system, but this patient self-report tool may be useful in having some documentation for patients to share their results with their family physician.

Simplified Guidance for Clinic Staff Handling Calls

• The simplified guidance provides advice for frontline clinic staff in managing common questions about testing and navigating COVID.