Alberta Health Services: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Healthcare in Alberta

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is a provincial health authority responsible for providing healthcare services to the residents of Alberta, Canada. Established in 2008, AHS is one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, serving a population of over 4.3 million people. AHS is committed to providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all Albertans.

Services Provided by AHS

AHS provides a wide range of healthcare services, including:

• Acute care services: These services include emergency care, inpatient care, and outpatient care. AHS operates over 100 hospitals and health centers across Alberta.
• Primary care services: These services include family medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics. AHS operates over 500 primary care clinics throughout the province.
• Mental health services: These services include inpatient care, outpatient care, and community-based support. AHS operates over 30 mental health facilities in Alberta.
• Public health services: These services include immunization, disease prevention, and health promotion. AHS works with local communities to promote health and prevent disease.

AHS Funding and Governance

AHS is funded by the Government of Alberta. In 2023, AHS's budget was \$22.4 billion. AHS is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Minister of Health. The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of AHS and overseeing its operations.

AHS Performance

AHS is committed to providing high-quality healthcare to Albertans. AHS measures its performance using a variety of indicators, including:

• Patient satisfaction: AHS surveys patients regularly to assess their satisfaction with the care they receive. In 2022, 93% of patients reported being satisfied with their care.
• Wait times: AHS tracks wait times for a variety of services, including emergency care, inpatient care, and outpatient care. In 2022, the average wait time for emergency care was 22 minutes.
• Health outcomes: AHS monitors health outcomes for Albertans, including life expectancy, infant mortality, and cancer survival rates. In 2022, the life expectancy for Albertans was 81 years.

Challenges Facing AHS

AHS faces a number of challenges, including:

• Increasing demand for services: The population of Alberta is growing, and the demand for healthcare services is increasing. AHS is working to meet this demand by expanding its capacity and improving its efficiency.
• Aging population: The population of Alberta is aging, and the demand for healthcare services for seniors is increasing. AHS is working to develop new programs and services to meet the needs of seniors.
• Financial pressures: AHS is facing financial pressures due to the rising cost of healthcare. AHS is working to find ways to reduce costs without compromising the quality of care.

AHS Innovation

AHS is committed to innovation in healthcare. AHS is working to develop new ways to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. Some of AHS's innovation initiatives include:

• Telehealth: AHS offers telehealth services to patients in rural and remote areas. Telehealth allows patients to access healthcare services from the comfort of their own homes.
• Electronic medical records: AHS is implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) across the province. EMRs allow healthcare providers to access a patient's medical history electronically, which can improve the quality and efficiency of care.
• Virtual care: AHS offers virtual care services to patients who cannot access in-person care. Virtual care allows patients to meet with their healthcare providers online.

Stories and What We Learn

Story 1: A young woman named Sarah was diagnosed with cancer. She was referred to an AHS cancer center, where she received treatment. Sarah is now in remission and is grateful for the care she received from AHS.

What we learn: AHS provides high-quality cancer care to Albertans.

Story 2: An elderly man named John was admitted to an AHS hospital with a heart attack. He received emergency care and was then transferred to a cardiac rehabilitation program. John is now recovering at home and is grateful for the care he received from AHS.

What we learn: AHS provides high-quality cardiac care to Albertans.

Story 3: A young family named the Smiths had a baby. They were able to access prenatal care, delivery services, and postnatal care through AHS. The Smiths are grateful for the care they received from AHS.

What we learn: AHS provides high-quality maternity care to Albertans.

Pros and Cons of AHS

Pros:

• Provides high-quality healthcare services
• Accessible to all Albertans
• Committed to innovation
• Provides a variety of services

Cons:

• Faces financial pressures
• Wait times for some services can be long
• Can be difficult to access care in rural and remote areas

Call to Action

AHS is committed to providing high-quality healthcare to all Albertans. If you need healthcare services, please contact AHS. You can find more information about AHS and its services on the AHS website.

Additional Resources

• AHS website: www.albertahealthservices.ca
• AHS phone number: 1-866-408-5465
• AHS Twitter: @AHS_Official

Tables

Table 1: AHS Funding

Table 2: AHS Performance Indicators

Table 3: AHS Services