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Your Health Care in Your Community 2015 MAY

no“thing seemed to help it. Then they came up with this cast. I had it for close to three months and my ulcer is gone

– Ian Irons, who had a wound on his foot that refused to heal for a decade until he received a total contact cast

Kirsten Goruk photo |

Dr. Herbert Janzen, left, and Allied Health area manager for wound refused to get better. Irons’ ulcer had not healed in putting Grande Prairie and occupational therapist Leana de Jager 10 years but, after trying many other treatment options, a best foot look over Ian Irons’ foot during a checkup at the outpatient total contact cast helped close the wound in about clinic at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Grande Prairie. A three months. The treatment is now available forward decade ago, Irons had a callus on his foot removed, but the to help patients with foot ulcers. PAGE 2

Introducing F.I.T. (Fecal Immunochemical Test) Delve deeper at albertapreventscancer.ca PAGE 2 l o c a l l e a d e r s Taking a big step forward Total contact casts a game-changer in healing foot ulcers

Story and photo by Kirsten Goruk | DR. kevin worry shelly pusch North Zone executive leadership team t’s taken a decade for Ian Irons to finally be new cast is reapplied and the boot is put back cured of an ulcer on his foot but, thanks to a on. Depending on the severity of the ulcer, Inew cast treatment, he and his feet are a lot weekly casting may continue for up to several tanning beds happier these days. months. “Nothing seemed to help it,” says Irons, 72. “The key thing to healing a diabetic foot offer danger “Then they came up with this cast. I had it for ulcer is trying to control the underlying medical close to three months and my ulcer is gone. concerns and to get pressure off the foot,” with ‘the glow’ Three months compared to 10 years is a huge says Leana de Jager, Alberta Health Services’ rad season is upon us and summer difference.” Allied Health Area Manager for Grande Prairie will soon be here. In the midst of Irons is undergoing a new therapy known as and surrounding communities, and also an Gpreparing for summer attire and total contact cast treatment at the outpatient occupational therapist. “That’s where the total graduation gowns, many young people clinic at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in contact cast comes in. It’s the only method to choose to head to the tanning salon. Grande Prairie. Ten years ago, he had a callus completely offload pressure on a foot and allow But indoor tanning can leave much more on his foot removed, but the wound never clients to continue their daily routines.” than just a temporary summer glow. Using healed, so he was recommended for the Healing foot ulcers for patients with tanning beds before the age of 35 can innovative therapy. diabetes is particularly critical as the low increase your risk of developing melanoma by “I could feel the difference right away when blood flow related to the condition can lead to 59 per cent. they put the cast on,” he says. complications, possibly resulting in amputation. And the younger you are, the greater the Total contact cast therapy began as a clinical Allan Kaufmann, 66, is a diabetic patient who danger. trial for diabetic foot ulcers a year ago, but was lives in Valleyview, but made the weekly trek New legislation passed this spring is aiming so successful it is now a treatment option. for total contact cast treatment. His foot ulcer to reduce the impact of artificial tanning, It helps heal foot ulcers by distributing weight had persisted for several months before he particularly on young people. equally along the entire foot area. The entire sought treatment, but following a few rounds of Once Alberta’s Skin Cancer Prevention cast, which provides padding and support, is treatment with the cast, he was improving. Act is enacted, businesses in Alberta will no in full contact with the foot and part of the leg, “The cast is a lot more cost-effective way to longer be allowed to provide artificial tanning thus its name. It is covered with a walking boot. heal these wounds as long as you’re prepared services to minors. Advertising of artificial It relieves pressure on prominent areas of the to commit to the instructions and the weekly tanning services directly targeted at youth will foot, including ulcers, allowing them to heal. checkups,” Kaufmann says. also be off limits. Patients wear the cast, then once a week it “It’s helped me to learn about foot care; I There are several common myths about is removed and the didn’t know anything before. The staff have indoor tanning. wound inspected. A been awesome.” n Myth No. 1 is that getting a base tan will prevent a burn later on. The reality is a base Past patient tan only provides the equivalent of about Ian Irons and SPF 2 (Sun Protection Factor) and is not registered nurse enough to prevent a burn. Michelle Greene Myth No. 2 is that tanning beds are a good display the cast way to get vitamin D. Wrong! Supplements or materials and drops are a safer and less expensive way to walking boot that get vitamin D. helped heal Irons’ Myth No. 3 is that artificial tanning is actually long-time foot better than the sun’s rays because it’s in ulcer. Total contact a controlled environment. The truth is that cast treatment is tanning beds can emit up to 15 times more targeted toward UVA radiation than the mid-day sun. patients with Just as it’s important to talk to youth about diabetes and other responsible alcohol use and safe sex, it’s also foot ailments and important for parents and loved ones to talk works to alleviate about the dangers of indoor tanning. pressure on the For more information, as well as tips and patient’s wound, tricks on how to talk to your teen about the helping it to heal. risks of artificial tanning, visitthebigburn.ca . n What’s on y our MedList? Your entire health care team needs a complete medication list: prescribed medications, inhalers, patches, ointments, eye drops, vitamins – even herbal supplements and nicotine gum.

Your MedList helps your team provide the safest treatment: albertahealthservices.ca/medlist www.albertahealthservices.ca There are plenty of health care options available. Learn yours by visiting the AHS website. i n y o u r z o n e PAGE 3

New remote hi-tech hearing test for infants now linking families in northern Alberta ear with the Glenrose is celebrated as Leading Practice this! by Accredition

Leila Mazaheri and her daughter Eliya are linked from Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in Fort McMurray, via Telehealth, with Kathy Packford, audiology team leader for the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in , as she readies a remote link to test Eliya for hearing loss. Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photos by Gregory Kennedy and Pat Marston ioneering a remote, high-tech means Kathy Packford, audiology team leader for the of testing babies for hearing loss has Glenrose. “It’s meaningful, because we’re able to Pwon the audiology team at Glenrose put the minds of very anxious parents at ease.” Rehabilitation Hospital national recognition of Packford came up with the idea after studying its work by Accreditation Canada as a Leading a similar setup in Thunder Bay, Ont. With the Practice that improves quality of care. support of Clinical Telehealth, she pulled together Its ongoing collaboration with Telehealth and a team to make it happen in Alberta, initially as the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in a pilot project. Over the past three years, more Fort McMurray means area families no longer than 70 families have benefited from the service. have to travel to Edmonton to find out if their The five-hour, 437-km trip from Fort McMurray infant has hearing loss. to Edmonton “is an uncomfortable distance for Having a new health care strategy accepted families to travel with infants,” says Packford. as a Leading Practice ranks as a major “We know it’s very critical for an infant who achievement. It means this Alberta Health may have a hearing loss to be diagnosed Services (AHS) team has proven its value, at a very early age so that they can benefit effectiveness and set a new standard of care from amplification, and speech and language – a feat that was celebrated at Accreditation intervention.” Canada’s fourth annual Quality Conference in In the past, some families have had to make Audiologist Kathy Packford, whose Toronto in March. multiple trips to the Glenrose because the test – Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Telehealth “Putting families first with new ideas to which requires the infant to sleep for an hour or implementation team pioneered remote improve patient care is a tradition at the so – couldn’t be completed because the child desktop access delivery of diagnostic hearing Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital,” says had slept all the way to Edmonton during the tests for infants in Alberta, has seen their Dr. Verna Yiu, VP Quality and Chief Medical long drive. So families would have to go away, service delivery accepted as a Leading Officer of AHS. “Making smart use of technology rebook, and come back for another try. Practice by Accreditation Canada. to extend this valuable service to more Albertans Packford says she hopes the service can shows the forward thinking that makes the Glenrose experts as they assess the child’s soon be extended to other centres that have Glenrose an influential leader in its field.” hearing through Auditory Brainstem Response expressed strong interest in remote ABR testing. The Glenrose team’s submission – Delivery of (ABR) testing via a remote desktop computer “ has shown interest in becoming a Diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) link that streams results across the encrypted hub, like the Glenrose, to serve communities Assessment to Remote Sites – outlines how, Alberta Supernet from state-of-the-art diagnostic across southern Alberta,” she adds. through a secure and confidential Telehealth equipment in Fort McMurray to Edmonton. “Knowing we meet all the criteria for quality video-conference link, families across the Wood “Everyone in the project is very excited that we really prepares us well for spreading our Buffalo region can now talk ‘face to face’ with can now deliver our services at a distance,” says Telehealth-ABR across the whole province.” n

During Auditory Brainstem Response Earphones, tucked into the infant’s ears, the surface of the child’s skin in response about (ABR) testing – the most accurate method deliver sounds from the computer software, to a sound that we present through a small for diagnostic hearing testing for infants from which measures responses to these sounds earphone in the child’s ear,” says Packford. ABR newborn to six months – the child sleeps via the skin electrodes, to gauge the child’s “We’re looking at the actual response as the while connected to a computer by tiny hearing. Testing takes one to three hours. sound travels along the auditory nerve to the testing electrodes taped to the skin. “We’re recording electrical responses from brain stem.”

A career in health care can be extremely rewarding. Visit the AHS website for career details. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 4 a t y o u r s e r v i c e smiles greet It’s nice to have a Services in clean mouth, and your community oral health it’s nice to have help doing it ... it feels Screen Test Mobile “ Mammography good pilot project Screen Test provides mammography – Heather Hermanson, resident screening to women ages 50 to 74 – the at the Hythe Continuing Care Centre, Story and photos by Sara Warr | age group most at risk of developing on a pilot program that teaches staff how to breast cancer – in rural communities eather Hermanson had been unable to help residents’ oral health needs brush her teeth on her own for about where the service isn’t regularly available. Hthree years due to a condition that The program is coming to the following causes muscle weakness. medications can cause dry mouth, which can in North Zone communities: But thanks to a new pilot project that’s turn lead to tooth decay. • Hinton: Running until May 9. teaching both staff and residents new Dementia or related illnesses can also • Lac La Biche: May 11-13. tooth-brushing and other oral health make it harder for staff to work with Appointments fill up quickly. To care techniques, she’s gained back residents on identifying emerging oral book your appointment, confirm dates some of her independence. health issues. and locations, and to inquire about “It’s nice to have a clean mouth, and By teaching staff techniques and upcoming North Zone stops, call toll-free it’s nice to have help doing it,” says strategies, the pilot program helps 1.800.667.0604. For more information, Hermanson, a resident at the Hythe them identify and manage challenges visit www.screeningforlife.ca/screentest. Continuing Care Centre. “I’m getting associated with daily mouth care for used to doing some of it for myself DE GRAAFF residents. again. Now I can do one side of my “As seniors’ ability to provide their PARTY Program mouth, and the staff still help me with own oral care decreases, this program Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related the rest. It feels good.” really helps train nursing staff to Trauma in Youth (PARTY) offers a program The pilot program – which trains staff recognize this, and provide the level for Grade 9 students about choices and on how to offer daily support and watch and type of support that respects and consequences, with a focus on trauma for oral disease – aims to promote is appropriate to the independence, and injury prevention. Youth hear about overall oral health by encouraging comfort and needs of each individual,” the impact of drinking and driving and alcohol use. Guest speakers from EMS, daily brushing among long-term care PENTELUK says Joanne Penteluk, a registered residents, and helps staff keep up to dental hygienist with AHS. rehabilitation and trauma services often date on seniors’ dental care needs, Staff at the Hythe Continuing Care take part in presentations, along with injury which have changed significantly over the years. Centre – one of three sites taking part in the survivors who share their experiences. “There aren’t as many people with dentures pilot project – agree. Sessions are arranged through local anymore,” says Cindi de Graaff, Provincial Oral “We were taught a lot about different ways schools. Contact your local public health Health Team Lead for Alberta to brush residents’ teeth that I wouldn’t have centre for more information. Health Services (AHS). “We’re thought of before the training,” says nursing seeing more and more attendant Corry Lemire. people keeping their natural “This training helped me feel confident Child Development Clinics teeth into their senior that I can recognize and provide the level Parents of young children in Fairview and years, and those teeth and type of care that is right for each of area are encouraged to come to one of the need to be maintained my residents, as they age and their needs upcoming Child Information Consultation differently than dentures.” change.” Clinics in their community. Parents can Aging can also AHS continues to expand this training: learn more about speech, behaviour, bring complex health the pilot program has rolled out to an dental care, and other health topics care issues. Certain additional 34 facilities in Alberta. n relating to their child’s development. The informal drop-in clinics focus on children six and under. They’re held at the Anglican Church at 10900 103 St., Fairview, from Hythe Continuing 2 to 3 p.m.: Care resident • May 6 and 20. Heather Hermanson • June 3 and 17. says she’s grateful for Call the Fairview Community Health Unit the oral health pilot at 780.835.4951 for more details. program that teaches staff how to help her improve her dental care.

Strategic Clinical SCNs ensure patient & Networks (SCNs) family voices contribute Alberta’s engines of innovation. to health planning and Learn more at www.albertahealthservices.ca/scn decision making.

www.albertahealthservices.ca Do you have concerns about your health? Visit the AHS website for symptom information. h e a l t h c a r e h e r o e s PAGE 5 Visit Us Online

restaurant inspections Public health inspectors ensure compliance with the province’s food regulations. Restaurant inspections occur prior to the opening of a new facility and every four to six months thereafter, or more often if non- compliance with the regulation has been identified. Consumer complaints are investigated, and an Holding an award presented to Alberta Health Services by the , AHS inspection may be conducted under special President and CEO Vickie Kaminski, centre, poses with reservist members of 15 Field Ambulance, circumstances, such as a food recall. To view from left: Cmdr. Robert Briggs, CWO Bill Leahy, Capt. Rebecca Patterson, Lt. Vanessa Ferris and restaurant inspection reports in your area, visit Sgt. John Todd Ferris. www.albertahealthservices.ca/3149.asp. armed forces salute ahs Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photo by Dale MacMillan youtube lberta Health Services (AHS) has been (AHS has) ... gone A new provincewide EMS program honoured with a provincial award from is helping paramedics relieve stress on Athe Canadian Armed Forces for its above and beyond ... palliative care patients and their families as commitment to reservists – the military doctors, in providing leave to well as reducing pressure on emergency nurses and paramedics who work for AHS as allow members to departments. The EMS Palliative and well as serve Canada overseas. “ End of Life Care Assess, Treat and Refer Lt.-Gov. Donald S. Ethell, himself a highly deploy overseas program now allows paramedics to work decorated peacekeeper and humanitarian, – Maj. William Patton with community clinicians to bring care to presented the award to Vickie Kaminski, AHS patients in their home or care facility instead President and CEO, on March 28 at Government “A reservist’s relationship with his or her of automatically transporting them to hospital. House on behalf of 15 Field Ambulance, the employer is central to transitioning into, and In a brief video, Richard Horth talks about province’s Canadian Forces out of, civilian life. AHS has demonstrated how the program helped make his partner’s medical unit, which successfully nominated AHS extraordinary and consistent support for both wish to die at home possible: http://youtu. for the honour. the educational and operational needs of our be/zNMpJuKCyZs. “We’re very proud of the commitment and reservists within its employment.” accomplishments of our reservists both here at Maj. William Patton agrees. Alberta Health Services and for serving Canada “AHS gives people the time off to capture those overseas,” says Kaminski. “We also benefit career courses, to make them a better officer, FACEBOOK greatly here in Alberta from the operational skills or to make them a better soldier, attend field they learn from the military.” exercises, or to do an overseas deployment,” We just got even friendlier. “Alberta stands apart from the rest of Canada says Patton, an Edmonton emergency Now the best Alberta health in the support it provides military members both physician and reservist medical officer who has info online is mobile friendly. within the community and in times of need,” commanded a military hospital in Afghanistan. Go to http://bit.ly/1isUq1E. says Cmdr. Robert Briggs, who leads the unit. Current members of Alberta’s only reserve “AHS not only rose to the occasion during the medical unit have seen action in Afghanistan, the . Afghanistan conflict in its care and rehabilitation Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Egypt, of ill and injured soldiers, but it continues to along with peacetime exercises around the globe. TWITTER display its unwavering commitment to reservists.” At home, its members stepped up for the Follow your zone at AHS_NorthZone: 15 Field Ambulance has about 100 members, southern Alberta floods in 2013, the Vancouver • AHS’ #SportNutrition for a third of whom work for AHS in Edmonton and Olympics in 2010, and forest fires inB .C. in 2003. #Youth is a handbook that Calgary. Patton says AHS has “certainly gone above helps coaches support Gary Agnew, Alberta Chair of the Canadian and beyond expectations in providing leave to their young athletes to eat Forces Liaison Committee (CFLC), the group allow members to deploy overseas on operations healthier (PDF): http://bit. that chose AHS to be given its Provincial Award for six months or more. ly/1a9Y5lc. for Support to the Canadian Forces Domestic “All the good things we do here at AHS – not • Going on a #roadtrip? Operations, credits AHS for its progressive least of which is excellence in clinical care – we Read tips for keeping approach to reservists. bring into the military. We bring back to AHS your child content in a “Maintaining a balance between civilian and some of the good things about the army, such as child safety seat: http:// military life is complicated,” says Agnew. civic pride, organization and teamwork.” n bit.ly/1aeYmnO.

Download the AHS mobile app for iPhone or Android H • Emergency department wait times • Health care locator • More… www.albertahealthservices.ca/mobile.asp

For the latest health news updates in your zone, visit the AHS website. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 6 o u r p a r t n e r s $ 4.4 million hospital’s ‘megacode kid’ The amount raised by North Zone’s 16 foundations and trusts in 2014* keeps skills on track *In addition to $35.2 million raised provincially Story by Kerri Robins | Photo by Crystal Rose by the Alberta Cancer Foundation here will soon be a new teacher at the It’s great having a manage an emergency. Northern Lights Regional Health Centre’s training mannequin on “The events are designed from specialty TClinical Education Department – a six-year- staff because ... staff courses based on the learning needs of old ‘child.’ participants,” Higdon says. “Many staff are Meet ‘Megacode Kid,’ a pediatric medical “ can learn new skills involved in designing the events, including training mannequin representing a young child, while getting used to physicians who actively participate in the which arrived on March 31. what a real situation scenarios.” “It’s great having the training mannequin on Susanne Chaffey, Executive Director of the staff because it’s a huge help to physicians, would be like Northern Lights Health Foundation, is grateful to nurses and ultimately patients, by providing – Carmel Higdon, Clinical Education lead the Fort McMurray Shrine Club for its donation. training and practise for our staff’s clinical skills,” at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre “We’d like to extend a huge thank-you to the says Carmel Higdon, a registered nurse and shrine club for its tremendous support of health Clinical Education lead at the health centre. their critical-thinking skills.” care in our region,” says Chaffey. “Not only can staff practise, but they can ask Each event begins with a brief description of “This gift will have immense impacts on our questions and learn new skills while getting used the ‘child’s’ illness or injury. staff in helping them learn and practise so they to what a real situation would be like.” Held in the education lab, staff can ask can continue providing the quality care our Thanks to a generous donation from the Fort questions and gather information during the children deserve.” McMurray Shrine Club to the Northern Lights initial assessment. An educator monitors the For more information, visit www.northern Health Foundation, the hospital purchased scenario, and how the staff would assess and lightshealthfoundation.ca. n Megacode Kid for $6,185. The mannequin simulates a real patient complete with all the vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate, allowing staff to practise emergency defibrillation and drug administration skills. The educator monitoring the event can also change Megacode Kid’s vital signs during the scenario as an additional challenge. Children present differently than adults in emergencies. For example, their vital signs include lower blood pressure, higher pulse and a smaller airway, so Megacode Kid is instrumental in training staff in advanced procedures. And Higdon is excited to introduce the new kid on the block to staff. “We use the mannequin to simulate pediatric emergencies that teach a wide range of advanced pediatric lifesaving skills. For example, a child experiencing a severe asthma attack or an above-average rapid heart rate,” Higdon says. “Providing training event scenarios ultimately benefits our patients by helping us provide quality care gained by keeping our medical knowledge current. And the scenarios are Clinical co-ordinator Stephanie Howse, educator Lee Junlajeam, Clinical Education lead Carmel Higdon, and specific, so participants can build on trauma co-ordinator Brenda McGuey, from left, practise on Megacode Kid, a pediatric training mannequin.

Health Advisory Councils Listening to Communities. Join the Conversation. Connect today: 1-877-275-8830

[email protected] www.albertahealthservices.ca/hac.asp

www.albertahealthservices.ca Giving is healthy: contact your local foundation or Health Advisory Council today. o u r p a r t n e r s PAGE 7 Foundations & Health Trusts

The SonoSite X-Porte portable ultrasound provides patients with excellent diagnostic treatment at the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre. It was funded thanks to the Jasper Healthcare Foundation and the Seton Health Care Ladies Auxiliary. Dr. Declan Unsworth demonstrates the ultrasound on registered nurse Lorraine Wilkinson and says, ‘It really helps with treatment decisions and provides care close to home, so it keeps patients from having to travel to larger centres.’

Funding equipment is another example of how Foundations across Alberta help improve local health care. Your donations – or gift of time – make big impacts in your community. Contact your local Foundation and give a gift today.

Support your local Foundation

North Zone • Alberta Cancer Foundation • Northern Lights Health Foundation • Beaverlodge Hospital Foundation • Peace River & District Health Foundation North Zone • Cold Lake Regional Health Foundation • Northwest Health Foundation • Fairview Health Complex Foundation • Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation • Grande Cache Hospital Foundation • Regional EMS Foundation • Grimshaw/Berwyn Hospital Foundation • St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation • Hinton Health Care Foundation • Swan Hills Hospital Foundation • Hythe Nursing Home Foundation • Valleyview Health Centre Foundation • Jasper Healthcare Foundation

www.albertahealthservices.ca/give PAGE 8 i n b r i e f initiative helps north breathe easier provincial initiative aimed at improving Allied Health in the North Zone, helped co- It also ensures family physicians are aware of any childhood asthma diagnosis and ordinate the new pathway’s rollout in the north. treatment that occurs and provides families with Atreatment has come full circle. “There is now a standardized screening educational materials and tips on what to do Implementation of the Alberta Childhood assessment tool that determines the severity when they get home. Asthma Pathway (ACAP) is complete, with of the asthma and the appropriate level of Van der Nest says the program is making a emergency departments and urgent care centres care required,” van der Nest says. “The goal is difference for asthma patients and their families. across the North Zone now using the new better outcomes for children, fewer flareups and “Now everyone has the same tools to tackle guidelines for assessing and treating childhood hospitalizations later on, and less exasperation this condition. It’s a good feeling that it can only asthma. First rolled out in Calgary and the South for the child and their family as a result.” improve the quality of care that patients are Zones, ACAP ensures consistency in dealing The new pathway lays out evidence-based receiving.” with pediatric asthma cases. treatment plans for all clinicians in emergency For more information on childhood asthma, Dalique van der Nest, Executive Director for departments, hospitals and health care centres. visit myhealth.alberta.ca. n

North Zone executive leadership team: NORTH local Dr. Kevin Worry zone leadership Shelly Pusch AHS embraces local leadership and zone-based decision-making. Right here in northern Alberta, front-line physicians and other clinical leaders at every level of the organization have joint planning and decision-making authority with operational leaders, meaning faster decision-making closer to where care is provided. DR. KEVIN SHELLY WORRY PUSCH

alberta: zone by zone edmonton zone Population: 1,186,121 • Life expectancy: 81.8 years • Hospitals: 13 north zone Communities: • Gibbons • Stony Plain Population: 447,740 • Life expectancy: 79.8 years • Hospitals: 34 • Beaumont • Leduc • Thorsby Communities: • Fort MacKay • Kinuso • Slave Lake • Devon • Morinville • Athabasca • Fort McMurray • Lac la Biche • Smoky Lake • Edmonton • St. Albert • Barrhead • Fort Vermilion • La Crete • Spirit River • Evansburg • Sherwood • Beaverlodge • Fox Creek • Manning • Swan Hills • Fort Park • Berwyn • Glendon • Mayerthorpe • Thorhild Saskatchewan • Spruce Grove • Bonnyville • Grande Cache • McLennan • Trout Lake • Boyle • Grande Prairie • Medley • Valleyview • Cold Lake • Grimshaw • Onoway • Vilna calgary zone • Conklin • High Level • Peace River • Wabasca/ • Edson • High Prairie • Peerless Lake Desmarais Population: 1,408,606 • Elk Point • Hinton • Radway • Westlock • Life expectancy: 82.9 years • Hospitals: 14 • Fairview • Hythe • Rainbow Lake • Whitecourt Communities: • Chestermere • Nanton • Falher • Janvier • Redwater • Worsley • Airdrie • Claresholm • Okotoks • Fort Chipewyan • Jasper • St. Paul • Zama City • Banff • Cochrane • Stavely • Black • Cremona • Strathmore Diamond • Didsbury • Turner Valley • Calgary • Gleichen • Vulcan central zone • Canmore • High River Population: 453,469 • Life expectancy: 80.7 years • Hospitals: 30 Communities: • Galahad • Mundare • Sylvan Lake • Bashaw • Hanna • Myrnam • Three Hills SOUTH zone • Bentley • Hardisty • Olds • Tofield Population: 289,661 • Breton • Hughenden • Ponoka • Trochu • Camrose • Innisfail • Provost • Two Hills • Life expectancy: 80.3 years • Hospitals: 14 • Castor • Islay • Red Deer • Vegreville Communities: Pass • Milk River • Consort • Killam • Rimbey • Vermilion • Bassano • Foremost • Oyen • Coronation • Kitscoty • Rocky • Viking • Blairmore • Fort Macleod • Picture Butte • Daysland • Lacombe Mountain • Wainwright • Bow Island • Granum • Pincher Creek • Drayton Valley • Lamont House • Wetaskiwin • Brooks • Irvine • Raymond • Drumheller • Linden • Sedgewick • Willingdon • Cardston • Lethbridge • Redcliff • Eckville • Lloydminster • Stettler • Winfield • Coaldale • Magrath • Taber • Elnora • Mannville • Sundre • Crowsnest • Medicine Hat • Vauxhall

Zone News Editor, Layout and design: Kit Poole here’s north Zone: Sara Warr IMAGING: Michael Brown FSC LOGO Phone: 780.830.3523 (printer places on) Email: [email protected] Zone News – North Zone is published Mail: 2101 Provincial Building, 10320 99 St., monthly by Alberta Health Services to This paper has been certified to meet how to Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8V 6J4 inform Albertans of the programs and the environmental and social standards services available to them, and of the work of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) To see North Zone News online, please visit being done to improve the health care and comes from well-managed forests reach us www.albertahealthservices.ca/5824.asp system in their communities. and other responsible sources.

It’s scary when your child is sick, but in most cases I am worried you don’t need to go to the emergency department. about my child If you’re unsure, we’re here to help Health Link Alberta: 1.866.408.5465 albertahealthservices.ca/options

Emergency is here for you if you need it. Use it wisely.

www.albertahealthservices.ca Be sure to visit our website for health advisories around the province.