Connect Care is now operational at 135 Alberta Health Services sites across Alberta. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Alberta Health Services expands Connect Care service across the province

Nov 7, 2022 | 11:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) has expanded Connect Care and made it available to all Albertans.

Connect Care aims to standardize care across AHS sites and enable health records from AHS and its subsidiaries to be accessed through a common provincial information system.

Chief Medical Officer at AHS Dr. Francois Belanger says the service benefits both patients and staff.

“Connect Care ensures all physicians, front-line staff and other care providers have access to the same clinical standards and best healthcare practices, and can provide high-quality care the same way, no matter where you are in Alberta,” says Belanger.

An additional 25,000 staff at 135 AHS sites are now involved with Connect Care following the phase five launch, which took place on the morning of Monday, November 7, 2022.

Week-in-review: A spring storm, Whoop-Up Days entertainment and housing for seniors

May 11, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Week-in-review: Passenger rail, a big investment in Coaldale and an NFL draftee from Lethbridge

May 04, 2024

There are now nearly 75,000 staff, physicians, and other healthcare providers using Connect Care in the South, Calgary, Central, Edmonton, and North Zones.

AHS Interim President and CEO Mauro Chies says expanding Connect Care is an important step in improving healthcare in Alberta.

“Eventually, health information will be accessible from any AHS location in the province, giving healthcare teams a more complete health history for patients, access to consistent information on best practices, and resources at their fingertips while maintaining the privacy of their information,” says Chies. “Healthcare teams will also be able to communicate with patients and each other more easily.”

Belanger says safeguards and protocols have been put into place to ensure patient data is never compromised.

AHS states that no significant patient impacts were reported as healthcare facilities transitioned to Connect Care on Monday.

She is asking patients to be patient as staff adjust to the new system.

“Patients may see AHS staff taking a little extra time to complete their charting and other tasks during launch, and we appreciate the patience of the public while we undertake this important improvement,” says Belanger.

Albertans who have visited a site where Connect Care is in place can sign up to MyAHS Connect, an online portal where people can see their health information, test results, medications, manage appointments, and communicate with their AHS team.

READ MORE: Provincial and territorial health ministers meeting with federal counterpart in B.C.