Find a PCN Doctor website launched

In response to the growing need to connect patients to a family physician, nine Edmonton area Primary Care Networks have teamed up to develop the Find a PCN Family Doctor website and the mobile website. This website provides the public with an up-to-date and comprehensive list of all PCN member physicians in the Edmonton area who are accepting new patients.

As of the website launch on June 27, 2012, there are 119 Edmonton area PCN family physicians accepting new patients.

The user friendly website, http://www.edmontonareadocs.ca/, will be updated quarterly. PCN doctors can be searched by the Edmonton and area map, gender, location and language.

"PCNs have multidisciplinary teams who work collaboratively with family physicians to provide patient care within their own networks. This project has brought all nine Edmonton area PCNs together to work collaboratively to provide the public with an easy to use tool that will help them locate a family physician,” explained Doug Craig, General Manager of Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network.



Doug Craig, General Manager of Edmonton Soutside Primary Care Network and Dr. Davis, family physician member of the Edmonton North PCN, announcing the launch of the Find a PCN Doctor website at a media conference at MIra Health Centre. 

The nine Edmonton area Primary Care Networks behind this project are:

Alberta Heartland Primary Care Network
Edmonton Oliver Primary Care Network
Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network
Edmonton West Primary Care Network
Edmonton North Primary Care Network
Westview Primary Care Network
Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network
Sherwood Park - Strathcona County Primary Care Network
St. Albert & Sturgeon Primary Care Network

www.edmontonareadocs.ca

Edmonton-area emergency wait times now online

Alberta Health Services is now posting wait times for Edmonton area hospitals on it's website. The site uses a software that calculates several factors in the ER and results are updated every 2 minutes.

Emergency Room Wait Times

This project, the first of its kind in Canada, was rolled out in Calgary last July and includes mobile apps for iPhone and Android.

Wait times are approximate and are meant to give patients and estimate for minor ailments. Those with more serious issues will still be given priority.

For more information, please visit the Alberta Health Services website.

Medication Management Tips for Seniors

Seniors consume 28 to 40 per cent of all prescription medications in Canada and on average, geriatric patients have six co-existing conditions.  Of particular concern is inappropriate use of these medications and drug related problems which result in a high burden on the health care system.

Here are 10 basic tips that can help to reduce the risk of medication errors:

1. Check the label of each prescription to verify that the proper medication was received.

2. When possible, keep all medication in original containers.

3. Never double up on the next dose to make up for a missed dose. Call your pharmacists for guidance as the medication will determine the next step.

4. If possible, fill all prescriptions at the same pharmacy.

5. Do not share or take another person’s medications, even if they have the same problems as you do.

6. If you purchase an over the counter medication (non-prescription medication), always consult with the pharmacist to make sure which one is safe to take. 

7. Keep a list of all medications on hand.  Keep this list current and make sure to include any drug allergies, the name of your doctor and the name of a contact person in case of emergencies.

8. Store medications out of the reach of children. Do not store in the bathroom or where they may be exposed to light, heat or humidity.

9. The best way to get rid of expired and unused pills is to return them to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

10. Check expiry dates of over the counter (non prescription) medications.

~ Nandini Desai, Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator 

National Sun Awareness Week

June 4-10 marks National Sun Awareness Week

 

After a long winter and all those short daylight hours, we welcome the warm, sunny days of spring and summer.  People of all ages love to be outside enjoying the fresh air doing a variety of activities.

 

The Canadian Cancer Society wants us all to stay healthy when it comes to sun exposure.   The purpose of National Sun Awareness Week is to remind people that we need to be “sun smart” while enjoying the great outdoors. 

 

Here are some sun safety basics:

 

Limit time in the midday sun.

- The sun's rays are strongest between 11am and 4pm.  Whenever possible, limit exposure to the sun during these hours.

When your shadow is shorter than you, look for shade.

- Do outdoor activities under a tree, umbrella, or in the shade of a building.

- Create shade by planting trees or by using partial roofs, awnings, gazebo tents, etc.

Use the UV index each day to plan outdoor activities.

- Consult local radio and TV stations or check on-line for the UV index forecast in your area. When the UV index is 3 or higher, wear protective clothing, sunglasses and  sunscreen.
- Wear tightly-woven, loose-fitting, full-length shirts and pants.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat so that your ears are covered as well.

- Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection and ensure they wrap around your face.

- Apply a generous amount of sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) on all exposed areas 20 minutes before you go outside. Ideally, sunscreen should be reapplied 20 minutes after going outdoors so that the product stabilizes on the skin and gives maximum protection. Thereafter, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (and more often if you are swimming or sweating).

- Do not put sunscreen on babies less than 6 months of age.

 

For more information, visit:

Health Canada 

Canadian Cancer Society 

Leduc After-Hours Clinic open!

Starting tonight, Thursday, June 7th, 2012, the Leduc After-Hours Clinic has extended it's clinic days and is now open each Thursday evening.

Clinic hours are:

Monday - Thursday
6:00 pm  - 9:30 pm

The Leduc After-Hours Clinic is a walk-in clinics for basic medical services only. 

We are unable to perform the following:
Suturing, Wart removal/treatments, Physicals, Driver's Medicals, Pre-op Medicals.

Please note that there is a $10 charge for sick notes signed by the AHC physician.

We do not prescribe narcotics or triplicate medications. 

~~~ UPDATE ~~~~
Appointments for both the Leduc and Beaumont After-Hours Clinics can now be made online! See our website for details: www.lbdpcn.com

The Leduc After-Hours Clinic is staffed by family physicians from the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

Leduc After-Hours Clinic:
4710 – 50th Street
3rd Floor
JHF Professional Centre
Located north of Leduc Cinema, entrance on the north side of the building.

For more information about the Leduc After-Hours Clinic, please call the PCN at 780-986-6624.

Leduc After-Hours Clinic

We are happy to announce the Leduc After-Hours Clinic has new, extended hours.
Clinic hours are:

Monday - Thursday
6:00 pm  - 9:30 pm

The Leduc After-Hours Clinic is a walk-in clinics for basic medical services only. 

We are unable to perform the following:
Suturing, Wart removal/treatments, Physicals, Driver's Medicals, Pre-op Medicals.

Please note that there is a $10 charge for sick notes signed by the AHC physician.

We do not prescribe narcotics or triplicate medications. 

The Leduc After-Hours Clinic is staffed by family physicians from the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

Leduc After-Hours Clinic:
4710 – 50th Street
3rd Floor
JHF Professional Centre
Located north of Leduc Cinema, entrance on the north side of the building.

For more information about the Leduc After-Hours Clinic, please call the PCN at 780-986-6624.

Seniors Week June 4-10, 2012

Join Albertans from across the province and the Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta in celebrating seniors and their contributions to our communities on June 4-10, 2012!

Seniors make a difference in our communities every day. From supporting family members and friends to assisting charities and volunteering, seniors are deeply involved in our communities and their contributions benefit Albertans of all ages.

Check out Seniors Week events in your community.

Senior's Day at the LRC

Join us each month as the LRC offers a variety of free* activities, programs, workshops and healthy refreshments the first Thursday of each month.  Join us from 10:00am - 2:00pm in the LRC foyer.

June is Stroke Awareness Month

JUNE IS STROKE MONTH. NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT.^TM

Do you know the warning signs of a stroke?

Weakness
- sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.

Trouble speaking
- sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary.

Vision problems
- sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary.

Headache
- sudden severe and unusual headache.

Dizziness
- sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs.





































Learn your risk level - and take action today!

The Heart & Stroke Risk Assessment helps you find out what is putting you at risk of heart disease and stroke - and how you can take action to live a longer and fuller life. Just answer some simple questions about your health and lifestyle to get your customized report today. It's free, confidential and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Take the Heart & Stroke Risk Assessment now.