Database of Health Workforce Innovations
653
COVID-19 tele-advice launched province wide for primary care
COVID-19 is a new disease and some health care providers may not have the necessary specialization to provide care to patients. Platforms to easily connect with specialist are required to ensure safe and efficient care of COVID-19 patients without over-burdening the hospital systems.
Two COVID-19 tele-advice lines are now available for primary care providers in Alberta. Providers can phone for specialist advice on caring for presumed and confirmed COVID-19 patients who are recovering at home.
The COVID tele-advice line is currently supported by specialists from respirology, general internal medicine and infectious disease. Here are examples of questions you could ask:
• My patient has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and I’m not sure if this is COVID or acute exacerbation of COPD. Start on Prednisone or not?
• My patient sounds dehydrated, where should I send them?
• My patient is older and getting sicker but doesn’t want to go to hospital. Is there anything I can do?
• My patient has had symptoms for two weeks, not getting any worse. Should I do a chest x-ray?
The COVID tele-advice line is currently supported by specialists from respirology, general internal medicine and infectious disease. Here are examples of questions you could ask:
• My patient has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and I’m not sure if this is COVID or acute exacerbation of COPD. Start on Prednisone or not?
• My patient sounds dehydrated, where should I send them?
• My patient is older and getting sicker but doesn’t want to go to hospital. Is there anything I can do?
• My patient has had symptoms for two weeks, not getting any worse. Should I do a chest x-ray?
- Telehealth/virtual care
- Longer term upskilling/reskilling other workers
- Expanded roles
- Other
- Physicians - Emergency
- Physicians - Intensive Care
- Physicians - Primary/Family
- Physicians - Specialists
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is Canada’s first and largest provincewide, fully-integrated health system, responsible for delivering health services to the more than 4.4 million people living in Alberta, as well as to some residents of Saskatchewan, B.C. and the Northwest Territories.
- Primary Health Care
Formal Strategy
Alberta Health Services
780-342-2000
Canada - Alberta
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