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This healthcare service has 2 current healthcare service locations.
Emergency Information 
Heart Function Clinic   at
Chinook Regional Hospital
Specialty: Cardiology
Connect Care Department: LET CRH HEART FUNCTION CL
Estimated time to routine appointment: Within 3 months
Alberta Health Services - South Zone
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The Heart Function Clinic (HFC) is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the support of Heart Failure (HF) patients who have complex care needs that require close monitoring and/or medication optimization.The Heart Function Clinic specializes in providing the most complete and suitable evidence-based care for patients diagnosed with heart failure. A team of specialists in the management of heart failure will provide:
  • Ongoing physical assessment
  • Management of medical and non-pharmacological treatments
  • Patient education for self-management of chronic heart failure including action plan, medications, nutrition and lifestyle
  • Complete medical evaluation of your heart condition
  • Optimial management of heart medications
  • Advice about diet, lifestyle, self-monitoring and self-management related to your heart condition
  • Laboratory and diagnostic evaluation related to your heart condition
  • On-going support through follow-up visits and telephone monitoring
  • On-going education and connections to community resoures
Each location may provide some or all of these services. Please contact the relevant locaiton to see what services are offered.
The Heart Function Clinic (HFC) is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the support of Heart Failure (HF) patients who have complex care needs that require close monitoring and/or medication optimization.The Heart Function Clinic specializes in providing the most complete and suitable evidence-based care for patients diagnosed with heart failure. A team of specialists in the management of heart failure will provide:
  • Ongoing physical assessment
  • Management of medical and non-pharmacological treatments
  • Patient education for self-management of chronic heart failure including action plan, medications, nutrition and lifestyle
  • Complete medical evaluation of your heart condition
  • Optimial management of heart medications
  • Advice about diet, lifestyle, self-monitoring and self-management related to your heart condition
  • Laboratory and diagnostic evaluation related to your heart condition
  • On-going support through follow-up visits and telephone monitoring
  • On-going education and connections to community resoures
Each location may provide some or all of these services. Please contact the relevant locaiton to see what services are offered.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
  1. Physician or NP to complete the referral form 
  2. Patients have been given a diagnosis of heart failure
    • heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (LVEF <40%)
    • heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (LVEF >50%)
      • H2FPEF score >2
      • H2FPEF Score for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (mdcalc.com)
    • heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) (LVEF 41-50%)
  3. Elevated natriuretic peptides
    • NT ProBNP >125 ng/L
    • BNP >50 ng/L
  4. One or more current or previous symptoms of heart failure are present.
    • Breathlessness, fatigue, leg swelling, confusion, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  5. Be 18 years of age
  6. Patient is aware and agreeable to be seen and cared for in the HFC and be able to physically attend appointments on a regular basis
Exclusion Criteria:
  • Do not have a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure
  • Referrals for a second opinion or advanced heart failure specialist assessment
  • Do not have symptoms of heart failure
  • Are unable to physically attend on a regular basis*
  • Are not willing to adhere to patient/clinic roles
  • Known history documented abuse to staff, and for whom an accepted risk mitigation plan is not in place
Patients who are not eligible for the clinic may be considered for referral to:
  • Referral to Alberta Health Living Program
  • Access AHS web site myhealth.alberta and search Heart Failure for Educational Literature
  • Referral to General Internal Medicine or General Cardiology
  1. Physician or NP to complete the referral form 
  2. Patients have been given a diagnosis of heart failure
    • heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (LVEF <40%)
    • heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (LVEF >50%)
      • H2FPEF score >2
      • H2FPEF Score for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (mdcalc.com)
    • heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) (LVEF 41-50%)
  3. Elevated natriuretic peptides
    • NT ProBNP >125 ng/L
    • BNP >50 ng/L
  4. One or more current or previous symptoms of heart failure are present.
    • Breathlessness, fatigue, leg swelling, confusion, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  5. Be 18 years of age
  6. Patient is aware and agreeable to be seen and cared for in the HFC and be able to physically attend appointments on a regular basis
Exclusion Criteria:
  • Do not have a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure
  • Referrals for a second opinion or advanced heart failure specialist assessment
  • Do not have symptoms of heart failure
  • Are unable to physically attend on a regular basis*
  • Are not willing to adhere to patient/clinic roles
  • Known history documented abuse to staff, and for whom an accepted risk mitigation plan is not in place
Patients who are not eligible for the clinic may be considered for referral to:
  • Referral to Alberta Health Living Program
  • Access AHS web site myhealth.alberta and search Heart Failure for Educational Literature
  • Referral to General Internal Medicine or General Cardiology
REFERRAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Follow these steps before sending a referral. Incomplete referrals may be returned or declined.
  1. Review the Service Description, Eligibility Requirements, Pathways and Advice options to ensure your patient is appropriate for this service.
  2. Click the (+) icon in the Referral Guidelines table to view the required information and investigations that must accompany the referral.
  3. Follow the applicable Referral Process and submit referral.
Urgent Referrals: Please contact the heart function clinic and ask to speak with the charge nurse
Follow these steps before sending a referral. Incomplete referrals may be returned or declined.
  1. Review the Service Description, Eligibility Requirements, Pathways and Advice options to ensure your patient is appropriate for this service.
  2. Click the (+) icon in the Referral Guidelines table to view the required information and investigations that must accompany the referral.
  3. Follow the applicable Referral Process and submit referral.
Urgent Referrals: Please contact the heart function clinic and ask to speak with the charge nurse
Referral instructions for primary care, community care, private
providers etc. who do not send referrals via Connect Care.
REFERRAL PROCESS - FOR NON-CONNECT CARE USERS
Complete the referral form and fax it to the service using the contact information in this profile.
Complete the referral form and fax it to the service using the contact information in this profile.
REFERRAL PROCESS - FOR CONNECT CARE USERS
Send an Internal Referral using the Ambulatory Referral Order to Cardiology, type LET CRH HEART FUNCTION CL in the “To Department” section and complete order.
Send an Internal Referral using the Ambulatory Referral Order to Cardiology, type LET CRH HEART FUNCTION CL in the “To Department” section and complete order.
ADDITIONAL SERVICE DETAILS
Medicine Hat and rural area inquires please call 403-388-6580
Medicine Hat and rural area inquires please call 403-388-6580
COMMUNICATION PROCESS
  • Referral receipt to referring source within 7 days.
  • Acceptance via appointment details or wait list status letter to referring source and patient within 14 days.
  • Wait list status update every 90 days.
  • Appointment outcome to referral source within 30 days.
 
PHONE
403-388-6580
FAX
403-327-9558
REFERRAL PHONE
403-388-6580
REFERRAL FAX
403-327-9558
CLICK + TO VIEW REFERRAL GUIDELINES
+-
Routine Reason for Referral
Access Targets convey the clinically appropriate timeframe patients should be seen within, by reason for referral and priority level.
Access Target
Required Information/Investigations
Investigation Timing
Additional Details
+-
New York Heart Association Classification - Class I
< 12 Weeks
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Past medical history
 
Within 1 month
Echocardiogram
 
N/A
NYHA I - no symptoms
+-
New York Heart Association Classification - Class II
< 12 Weeks
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Past medical history
 
Within 1 month
Echocardiogram
 
N/A
Chronic HF disease management, NYHA II
+-
Urgent Reason for Referral
Access Targets convey the clinically appropriate timeframe patients should be seen within, by reason for referral and priority level.
Access Target
Required Information/Investigations
Investigation Timing
Additional Details
+-
Heart failure
< 2 Weeks
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Echocardiogram
 
N/A
Urgent:
  • New diagnosis of HF, not improving with therapy (unstable decompensated)
  • Posthospitalization or ER visit for HF
  • Severe HF with valvular or renal disease or hypotension
  • Post myocardial infarction HF

Semi-Urgent:
  • New diagnosis of HF, stable, compensated
  • Worsening HF with therapy
+-
New York Heart Association Classification - Class II
< 6 Weeks
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Echocardiogram
 
N/A
Priority: Semi-Urgent
+-
New York Heart Association Classification - Class III
< 6 Weeks
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Echocardiogram
 
N/A
Priority: Semi-Urgent
+-
New York Heart Association Classification - Class IV
< 2 Weeks
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Echocardiogram
 
N/A
Progression to NYHA IV
+-
Emergent Reason for Referral
Additional Details
+-
Acute myocarditis
Acute severe myocarditis
+-
Acute pulmonary edema
New-onset acute pulmonary edema
+-
Cardiogenic shock
Rapidly progressive heart failure/cardiogenic shock
+-
Evaluation finding
Transplant and device evaluation or unstable patient
+-
Heart failure
Heart failure with ACS
PATIENT APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Email
Print
 
MISSED APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES
Patient is discharged after 3 missed/rebooked appointments or no contact for 3 months with the clinic.
A new referral will be required for services to continue.
Patient is discharged after 3 missed/rebooked appointments or no contact for 3 months with the clinic.
A new referral will be required for services to continue.
 
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday:
   
 
ADDRESS
960 19 Street S
Lethbridge Alberta
T1J 1W5
PATIENT APPOINTMENT INSTRUCTIONS
  • Bring your Alberta health care card and a piece of government issued photo ID.
  • You may bring a family member or significant other during your consultation.
  • Please make sure to have someone with you if you are unable to communicate in English.
  • Bring your Alberta health care card and a piece of government issued photo ID.
  • You may bring a family member or significant other during your consultation.
  • Please make sure to have someone with you if you are unable to communicate in English.
 
DIRECTIONS
Virtual appointments and classes are done via zoom or telephone.
In person appointments at Chinook Regional Hospital.
Entering the North Entrance, the clinic will be on the right-side corridor.

Chinook Regional Hospital is located on 19 Street South - use main entrance for outpatient clinics.
Virtual appointments and classes are done via zoom or telephone.
In person appointments at Chinook Regional Hospital.
Entering the North Entrance, the clinic will be on the right-side corridor.

Chinook Regional Hospital is located on 19 Street South - use main entrance for outpatient clinics.
 
PHONE
403-388-6580
 
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Rates apply 24 hours per day, and are in effect for all public parkers, including those with provincially issued placards for persons with disabilities.
Paystations accept Canadian coins, Canadian bills or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).
Parking Office and Kiosk accept payment by cash, credit card, debit or cheque.
Rates apply 24 hours per day, and are in effect for all public parkers, including those with provincially issued placards for persons with disabilities.
Paystations accept Canadian coins, Canadian bills or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).
Parking Office and Kiosk accept payment by cash, credit card, debit or cheque.
 
EMAIL
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Appointments are done virtually by Zoom or telephone, with the exception of the surgeon appointments.
Appointments are done virtually by Zoom or telephone, with the exception of the surgeon appointments.
 
 
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
Yes

The primary purpose of the All Locations list is to let the user easily access any location of a healthcare service without going back to the main search screen.

The locations listed have 3 background colors:
  • Green means the healthcare service@location has referral information attached to it.
  • Brown means the healthcare service@location never had referral information attached to it, or it has unpublished referral information.
  • Red means
    • IA changed the healthcare service@location's status to something other than Current
    • It was deleted if it is an ARD healthcare service@location.
Green  and Brown are always at the top of the list. These are the Healthcare Service@Locations with the status of Current.
The Red list at the bottom consists of non-current Healthcare Service@locations that once had Published referral information in the ARD.
If the referral information was never published in ARD the Healthcare Service@location will not show in the Red list.

The secondary purpose of the All Locations list is to allow ARD Administrators to recover (copy) referral information from the non-current Healthcare Service@Locations to ones that are current.

Common Scenario:
A Healthcare Service moves from one location to another. In this case the IA Healthcare Service@Location record will be made defunct (non-current) and a new Healthcare Service@Location record will be created with a current status. In this scenario the captured referral guidelines in ARD can become "orphaned" as they are not attached to any current IA healthcare service.

Categories of non-current or orphaned referral guidelines: INDIVIDUAL and COMMON.
The REFERRAL GUIDELINES section of the profile has the prefix INDIVIDUAL or COMMON to help you choose the method below when transferring referral guidelines from a non-current Healthcare Service@Location to a current healthcare service@location.

Individual referral process
  1. Click on a non-current (Red) Healthcare Service@Location at the bottom of the All Locations list.
  2. The non-current referral info is displayed with the link Copy this Referral Process to another Healthcare Service@Location link on the upper right hand corner. Click on the copy link.
  3. Choose a current location (Green or Brown) from the All Locations list. This will be the Healthcare Service@Location you are pasting the referral info into.
  4. The system will display the Edit Referral Info screen populated with the referral info from the non-current Healthcare Service@Location you viewed in the first step.
  5. Click Save and the referral info is transferred from the non-current Healthcare Service@Location to the current one.
  6. Repeat these steps for each Healthcare Service@Location that needs attention.

Common referral process - 2 sub cases.
Case 1: At least 1 current Healthcare Service@Location with common referral info is with current status for this healthcare service; One or more Healthcare Healthcare Service@Locations where replaced by new one.
  1. Click on any current Healthcare Service@Location whether it has referral info (Green) or not (Brown).
  2. The healthcare service location opens in the Edit Referral Info screen populated with the current common referral info.
  3. Save it. 
  4. All locations will be updated with the common referral information, including all the locations that don't have referral info yet (Brown). The non-current referrals (Red) will also be updated.
Case 2:  All Healthcare Healthcare Service@Locations for a healthcare service are set to a non-current status and replaced by new ones. In this case there is no current additional referral info to copy from, so the only alternative is to pick up the non-current common referral process (Red). Follow the steps described in the section Individual Referral Process above to copy/paste the non-current common referral info to the current healthcare service locations.
Generally we want to replicate current common referral info to new or replaced healthcare service locations. We only resort to copying non-current common referral info if there is no other option.

Remember: Some fields can be location specific with the common referral process:
Parking Instructions, Directions, Parking Map, Wait Time, Referral Phone or Referral Fax.
To update these items you have to edit each Healthcare Service@Location separately.

ADDITONAL NOTES:
  • The info icon after the All Locations drop down will be visible to ARD Administrators.
  • The system doesn't allow you to copy referral information from one non-current Healthcare Service@Location to another.

 

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