By Kevin Maimann StarMetro Edmonton Mon., Dec. 10, 2018 EDMONTON—Alberta Health Services is now accepting toys as payment for parking fines. Anyone who got a parking ticket at a hospital or other AHS facility between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10 can bring an unwrapped toy to any AHS parking office and staff will mark the ticket as paid. The Toys for Tickets campaign launched Monday and ends Dec. 21. “In keeping with the spirit of the holiday season, we felt this is a good way to give back and make some of our patients’ time in hospital a little brighter,” Nick Ternovatsky with AHS parking services said in a news release. Article Continued Below The toys, which will be sent to the Stollery Children’s Hospital, have to be of “similar value” to the amount of the parking ticket. AHS recommends donating books, art supplies, science kits, electronics and headphones, Lego sets, portable DVD players, rattles, baby toys, … [Read more...] about Alberta Health Services taking toys as payment for parking fines
Alberta health services
DNA ancestry testing poses privacy risks, Alberta health expert warns
By Kashmala Fida StarMetro Edmonton Tues., May 8, 2018 EDMONTON—When American police recently nabbed a suspect in the 40-year-old Golden State Killer cold case, they credited an online genealogy website that uses DNA with finally helping to crack the mystery. Now the police department in Vallejo, Calif., wants to use the same method in the infamous Zodiac Killer case, saying in a press release last week that they hope to take advantage of “emerging technologies and new advances in forensic science to assist in the identification of a suspect.” The tests, which require customers to spit into a test tube and mail it off for analysis, have become increasingly popular for tracing ancestry and identifying a person’s predisposition for certain health problems. But despite all the benefits, an Alberta health law expert says these criminal cases illustrate the unexpected repercussions of giving up your DNA to a corporation. The Star reported in … [Read more...] about DNA ancestry testing poses privacy risks, Alberta health expert warns
People admitted to hospital from First Nation had common viruses, Alberta Health Services says
By The Canadian Press Fri., April 6, 2018 CALGARY — Alberta Health Services says all of the people admitted to hospital from a First Nation west of Calgary where a baby girl died had a variety of common respiratory viruses. The agency did not comment on the cause of the four-month-old child’s death. AHS says there is no ongoing risk to the people who were sent to hospital or to the general public. Read more: Autopsy for baby girl who died on Alberta First Nation scheduled for Friday: RCMP Article Continued Below 1 child from Alberta First Nation dead, others in hospital: RCMP RCMP were still investigating the girl’s death. Police and paramedics were called Wednesday to check on a child in medical distress on the Wesley First Nation, one of three reserves that make up the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Ten children and four adults were taken to hospital from one home in the community. Delivered daily The Morning Headlines Newsletter … [Read more...] about People admitted to hospital from First Nation had common viruses, Alberta Health Services says
Alberta Health Services apologizes for letter addressed to ‘Treaty Indian,’ blames decade-old form
By Chinta Puxley The Canadian Press Fri., April 6, 2018 EDMONTON—Alberta Health Services says a mistake on a form a decade ago using outdated language is to blame after a teenage Indigenous girl was sent an invoice addressed to “Treaty Indian.” The health service said Thursday it has finished a preliminary investigation into how “unacceptable and culturally insensitive language” was used. “This was an inexcusable error, and should never have happened,” it said in a statement. The service said the error occurred when “historical wording” was put in the wrong field on a patient’s record during a hospital visit over a decade ago. “Following a more recent hospital visit, our computer system inadvertently copied that incorrect wording, and included it on an invoice which was then sent out to the person,” the statement said. Article Continued Below “The wording is absolutely not language that … [Read more...] about Alberta Health Services apologizes for letter addressed to ‘Treaty Indian,’ blames decade-old form
Inspectors found foreign workers sleeping in a Burger King basement: Alberta Health Services
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.—A Burger King franchise was issued a public health order because Alberta Health Services said its inspectors found foreign workers were sleeping in the basement of the Lethbridge restaurant.Burger King said in an emailed statement that it had spoken with the independent owner of the location.“He has confirmed that the accusations regarding accommodations are not true,” said the company. “However, we will continue to ensure compliance with our high operational standards.”The Alberta Health Services order, dated Jan. 10, said the inspection found evidence of “sleeping/living accommodations for foreign workers.”It said allowing sleeping or living accommodations in a restaurant is a health code violation. Food-handling services must be separated from living quarters and other areas that may be “incompatible with the safe and sanitary handling of food.” … [Read more...] about Inspectors found foreign workers sleeping in a Burger King basement: Alberta Health Services