This family and visitor information page will help you navigate your visit to one of our facilities and ensure a safe, supportive and comfortable experience for family, visitors and patients.
Learn about our commitment to creating strong, trusting relationships with you through our Shared Commitments.
ON THIS PAGE:
Before Visiting | Keep Patients & Communities Safe| Respect Privacy & Confidentiality| Patient Comfort| Patient & Family Support Services
We kindly ask all visitors to follow staff instructions to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Cooperation helps us provide the best care possible. For more information see Family Presence and Visitor Policy Suite and Safe Care, Together.
For the safety of everyone, if you are feeling unwell with a new cough, fever, sore throat, nausea or runny nose please stay home until symptoms are gone. Patients can request a virtual visit be arranged or you can contact the patient’s service area to assist with coordinating a virtual visit.
We welcome families, support people and visitors to our healthcare facilities to support patients. However, there may be situations where we need to limit or restrict access. These situations are outlined in our Family Presence and Visitor Policy Suite. Check with the service area for any access limits before coming to the site.
Wireless Internet is available at most sites in designated areas. To access, select “healthspot” from the list of available networks. We recommend texting first as phone calls and video chatting is limited to designated areas in the site.
Patients can be reached by contacting the site where they are staying.
Hand hygiene: By washing or sanitizing your hands regularly, especially when entering or exiting care areas, you help prevent the spread of germs and create a safer environment for everyone.
Masking: Site masking requirements that may be in place for families, designated support persons and visitors.
Washrooms: Please use only designated public washrooms and not patient washrooms.
Additional Precautions: In rare cases, family and visitors may need to follow extra safety measures, such as wearing a mask or protective gear, when with a patient. Please confirm with the service area in advance to ensure you can meet all required precautions.
Respecting privacy and creating a peaceful environment is vital to recovery. Please be considerate when using cell phones—keep noise levels low and avoid disrupting the privacy of patients and staff. We recommend refraining from calling patients between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. to support restful recovery. When on site, kindly use cell phones only in designated areas and avoid recording videos in patient care spaces.
Before bringing items for patients, check with the patient, family or care team to see what is needed before bringing anything to the site.
Essential items: A small bag of toiletries, a water bottle, reading material, a notepad with pen and a set of clothes can be helpful.
Valuables: Do not bring in valuables. Our facilities are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Gifts and Flowers: All sites are scent-free and bedside space is limited. For short stays (under seven days), consider sending gifts or flowers after the patient returns home.
Deliveries: Deliveries cannot be made into patient care areas or received by staff.
Food: Patients may have specific dietary requirements. Before bringing food to the site refer to Bringing Food from Home.
For a comprehensive list of Indigenous wellness services and contact information, see Indigenous Health, or ask the care team to connect you directly with someone from the Indigenous Wellness Core.
We acknowledge the importance of access to religious, spiritual and cultural care providers when requested by patients. Speak with the care team or contact AHS Spiritual Care Services for information on what religious and spiritual care supports are available at the site.
Interpretation and Translation Services provides individuals who have limited English, who are deaf, deaf/blind or hard of hearing patients with communication support needed to understand their medical providers. Speak with care team to arrange interpretation services.
Having a loved one needing care can be difficult. For information about support programs ask the patient’s care team and see the resources at Help in Tough Times. You can also contact the confidential Mental Health Help Line 24/7 to learn more about mental health programs and services in Alberta.
Navigation Services can help you find your way in Alberta’s healthcare system Navigation Services or call 811.
The quickest way to address any concerns is to speak directly with the care team. Alternatively, you can reach AHS Patient Relations with Patient Concerns & Feedback.
If you have had a positive experience, please consider thanking your care provider directly. You can also submit a commendation through AHS Patient Relations with Patient Concerns & Feedback
