Tag: Alberta Health Services

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Alberta Ft Mac Politics

Alberta Health Services Recognize Heroic Acts During Fort McMurray Fire Evacuation

Heroic acts performed during the Fort McMurray fire evacuation have been recognized by Alberta Health Services. A recent Friday event at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre AHS made a special point to give recognition to those who performed selfless acts during the evacuation of the area. Senior operating director David Matear stated that “The evacuation was a massive team effort. We couldn’t have done it without you.” While handing out flags which were flying over the hospital on evacuation day Matear explained that [This was] in recognition of their efforts throughout the evacuation and into the weeks that followed to support and protect staff.”

Alberta Health Services CEO Dr. Verna Yiu also gave praise for the Fort McMurray fire evacuation. Yiu told the participants “I can’t even imagine. What I saw was countless acts of heroism. All of you contributed in one way or another, ensuring our patients were looked after. The toughest part is coming back. But I have the utmost faith that we’ll be fine.” Councillor McGrath was also on hand and discussed the recovery ahead, stating “Without a hospital, we’re not a community. There’s a long road ahead, but certainly the hospital is a big part of that.” During the fire evacuation staff had very little notice or the ability to plan in advance, yet they managed to evacuate over 200 patients safely and more than 400 staff members were also evacuated. This was accomplished in two hours thanks to the heroic efforts of everybody involved.

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Alberta Health Services Says Tuberculosis Cluster Among Homeless in Fort McMurray is Now Contained

The Alberta Health Services is reassuring the public that a tuberculosis cluster among the homeless in Fort McMurray is now contained. Physicians have identified 5 individuals in the homeless community who were infected but they agree with health officials that there is no reason for public alarm. An investigation was started last December after a homeless individual was diagnosed with an active strain of TB, and soon four more individuals in the homeless community were identified as having the disease. All of the infected individuals have visited and stayed at the homeless shelters in the area since last December but health officials have not said which shelters were affected. All of the homeless individuals who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis are being monitored and have received medical treatment for their condition.

According to Alberta Health Services North Zone medical officer of health Dr. Mayank Singal discussed the tuberculosis cluster and explained “We are not warning that these shelters are in any ways not doing what they are supposed to be doing. This is a vulnerable population that is often at a higher risk of illness due to compromised immune systems. The general population in Fort McMurray is not at increased risk, even though it is an airborne disease. It’s not easily transmitted. If you’re in a room with someone with active TB, it takes minutes to hours for that transmission to happen, even in a closed space.” To date this year 14 cases of infectious pulmonary tuberculosis disease have been identified in Alberta, and last year there was a total of 66 cases for the entire year.

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Is the Whooping Cough Outbreak Over? Alberta Health Services Says Yes!

A recent whooping cough outbreak is over according to Alberta Health Services. The outbreak was declared over in an announcement last Wednesday, and the infection levels for this specific disease are now at normal levels are are no longer considered higher than normal. The outbreak was first declared in the Northern Zone in August of 2015. According to AHS senior medical officer of health Dr. Gerry Predy “In the last month or so, we really haven’t seen too much activity.” In 2015 AHS reported 225 confirmed cases identified as whooping cough, and this is a big increase over the levels of this disease in 2014. In 2014 only 42 cases of whooping cough were confirmed in the same region so the increase for 2015 is substantial. Medical professionals suspect that the actual number of cases in recent years have been higher than reported because many people who were infected did not seek medical attention for their symptoms.

According to Dr. Predy vaccination is still very important even though Alberta Health Services has declared the whooping cough outbreak is over. Dr. Predy explained “It’s always around, and outbreaks do occur from time to time. You want to make sure your kids are protected.” A top official at AHS blamed the latest outbreak on low vaccination rates. Dr. Albert de Villiers, an AHS medical officer of health, stated in an interview in 2015 after the outbreak started that “The big reason behind it is because people don’t immunize as much as they should. About 90 per cent of the cases in kids were kids that were not completely immunized, or were not immunized at all.”

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Childbirth Death at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre Under Investigation by Alberta Health Services

A childbirth death at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is being investigated by several entities. An internal review will be performed by the medical facility, and an investigation is also underway by Alberta Health Services to determine exactly what happened and if it was preventable. Kay Williamson ,the spokesperson for Alberta Health services, released a statement which said in part “Cases such as this are extremely rare, and particularly tragic. Our hearts go out to this family. We have talked to the family about the circumstances of this case, and will continue to be available to them to answer any questions or concerns they may have.” Maternal mortality does occur although it is not common and only happens in roughly 35 cases a year across the entire country.

Farzana Nasrin was the latest victim of childbirth death, and the 37 year old was already a mother to 2 children and was pregnant with her third. The baby survived and was taken to an Edmonton hospital for treatment. Bela Hossain, Nasrin’s husband and the father of their 3 children, gave some details of the case during a CBS News interview. According to Hossain his wife experienced severe and heavy bleeding during childbirth right before she passed away. Hemorrhaging is always a risk during pregnancy and childbirth. From 2009 through 2012 Fort McMurray had a very high birth rate yet the maternal mortality rate was very small. An online GoFundMe campaign has been started to help the family that Nasrin left behind, and several thousand dollars have been raised so far.

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Alberta Health Services Flu Vaccine Campaign Hits Fort McMurray

Alberta Health Services, flu vaccine, Fort McMurray

Flu season is close, and Alberta Health Services has started the flu vaccine campaign for Fort McMurray in order to provide area residents with some protection from this disease. The public can take advantage of flu vaccine shots which are offered free of charge, all you have to do is go to the Thickewood area Fort McMurray Community Health building. Local residents can also get the flu vaccine at grocery stores, pharmacies, and physician offices around the community, and also at MacDonald Island Park. According to Alberta Health Services the fl vaccine used last year was not a great match with the strain of flu that actually hit. Health officials of Canada still insist that the flu vaccine shot is a very safe and effective way to try and provide protection even if this vaccine does not have the effectiveness rate that some other vaccines do.

The flu vaccine offered by Alberta Health Services is also available in Fort McMurray at a discounted price for many. AHS medical officer of health Dr. Mayank Singal said “If you were to get a discount at a clothing store or a grocery store…you’d still take it. It’s still better than no discount, right? So some protection is still better than no protection. Like with any other product, you always have risk of a bad allergic reaction — but chances of that are in the order of one in a million. You’re actually much more likely to get…bad reactions with the influenza disease. The chance is actually much higher. So the vaccine is still preventative.”

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Alberta Health Services Issues Precautionary Air Quality Advisory

air quality advisory, Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services has issued a precautionary air quality advisory , and the advisory covers the entire North Zone. The warning was issued because air quality has been affected by recent wildfires in the area, not because of mining operations. According to a press release from Alberta Health Services “Due to wildfires burning in northern Alberta, air quality is expected to be variable across much of the North Zone of Alberta Health Services over the coming days, and potentially, weeks.” According to the agency minor smoke conditions are not usually a reason to be concerned. Severe smoke conditions can cause health and safety concerns though. These may include irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, and even shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The symptoms associated with severe smoke conditions can impact everyone, even those who are extremely healthy.

As part of the air quality advisory Alberta Health Services is asking that local residents monitor any symptoms that they experience. The agency also advises residents to minimize any outdoor activities and exposure if smoke is seen or smelled when they are outside. Vents and windows inside the home should also be shut if there is smoke present, and vehicles should be placed in re-circulate mode in these conditions as well. Anyone who has questions or concerns about smoke exposure or other health issues can call 1-866-408-LINK. This is the number for Health Link Alberta, which operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and a registered nurse is always available to provide advice and guidance.