General Genetics   at
Alberta Children's Hospital
Estimated time to routine appointment: Within 18 months
Alberta Health Services - Provincial Health Services
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Provides assessment, diagnosis and counselling, as well as screening and management recommendations, to Albertans across their lifespan (pre-conception, newborn, pediatric and adult) affected, or at risk for an inherited genetic condition(s), birth defects and rare diseases.An appointment is with a clinical geneticist and/or genetic counsellor, depending on the reason for referral.

Telehealth is available for Southern Alberta residents.

A consultation may involve:
  • a review of the patient and / or relevant family members’ medical and family histories
  • a physical examination of the patient, and possibly relevant family members such as parents and siblings
  • investigations, such as medical imaging and blood work for genetic testing or other indications
  • referrals to other medical specialists
  • genetic counselling to provide patients and their family members with information about the specific genetic condition that they have or are at risk for
  • genetic counselling to support patients and their family members in making informed decisions about testing and screening options
  • genetic counselling to identify additional family members who may benefit from a genetic assessment.
Ward consults are provided at all tertiary hospitals by the geneticist is on call 24 / 7 in Calgary and Edmonton.

For more information visit the Clinical & Metabolic Genetics website.
Provides assessment, diagnosis and counselling, as well as screening and management recommendations, to Albertans across their lifespan (pre-conception, newborn, pediatric and adult) affected, or at risk for an inherited genetic condition(s), birth defects and rare diseases.An appointment is with a clinical geneticist and/or genetic counsellor, depending on the reason for referral.

Telehealth is available for Southern Alberta residents.

A consultation may involve:
  • a review of the patient and / or relevant family members’ medical and family histories
  • a physical examination of the patient, and possibly relevant family members such as parents and siblings
  • investigations, such as medical imaging and blood work for genetic testing or other indications
  • referrals to other medical specialists
  • genetic counselling to provide patients and their family members with information about the specific genetic condition that they have or are at risk for
  • genetic counselling to support patients and their family members in making informed decisions about testing and screening options
  • genetic counselling to identify additional family members who may benefit from a genetic assessment.
Ward consults are provided at all tertiary hospitals by the geneticist is on call 24 / 7 in Calgary and Edmonton.

For more information visit the Clinical & Metabolic Genetics website.
ROUTINE REFERRAL PROCESS
Referrals require all information noted above for triage.
Referrals require all information noted above for triage.
URGENT REFERRAL PROCESS
Indications for urgent referral:
  • Genetic diagnosis required for treatment/management decision making.
  • Newborns - < 1 year of age
  • Palliative patient requiring an urgent genetic assessment
  • Genetic test result that requires consultation and genetic counseling
Indications for urgent referral:
  • Genetic diagnosis required for treatment/management decision making.
  • Newborns - < 1 year of age
  • Palliative patient requiring an urgent genetic assessment
  • Genetic test result that requires consultation and genetic counseling
EMERGENCY REFERRAL PROCESS
Direct patients to the nearest Emergency Department if they are experiencing a serious illness or injury. Patients with potentially life-threatening conditions should immediately phone 9-1-1.

Direct patients to an urgent care centre if they are experiencing unexpected, but non-life-threatening health concern, illness or injury that require same day/evening treatment. Patients can call Heath Link by dialing 8-1-1 for nurse advice and health information.
Direct patients to the nearest Emergency Department if they are experiencing a serious illness or injury. Patients with potentially life-threatening conditions should immediately phone 9-1-1.

Direct patients to an urgent care centre if they are experiencing unexpected, but non-life-threatening health concern, illness or injury that require same day/evening treatment. Patients can call Heath Link by dialing 8-1-1 for nurse advice and health information.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
This service is available to individuals who are affected or at moderate to high risk for inherited genetic conditions. Risk level is determined by genetic risk evaluation of the individual's medical and family history.
This service is available to individuals who are affected or at moderate to high risk for inherited genetic conditions. Risk level is determined by genetic risk evaluation of the individual's medical and family history.
ADDITIONAL SERVICE DETAILS
1. Please refer to the additional ARD Sub-Specialty pages for referrals to: Inherited Metabolic; Cardiogenetics, Connective Tissue; Neurogenetics; Prenatal; Hereditary Cancer; Ocular Genetics.
2. As genetic testing is advancing, if a patient was seen in the past and a review of eligibility for further genetic testing is questioned, please re-refer.
3. If patient was seen in the past and no diagnosis provided, we are now requesting a re-referral as we are unable to maintain scheduled follow-ups.
1. Please refer to the additional ARD Sub-Specialty pages for referrals to: Inherited Metabolic; Cardiogenetics, Connective Tissue; Neurogenetics; Prenatal; Hereditary Cancer; Ocular Genetics.
2. As genetic testing is advancing, if a patient was seen in the past and a review of eligibility for further genetic testing is questioned, please re-refer.
3. If patient was seen in the past and no diagnosis provided, we are now requesting a re-referral as we are unable to maintain scheduled follow-ups.
COMMUNICATION PROCESS
 
PHONE
403-955-7373
FAX
403-955-2701
LINKED SPECIALISTS
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
Timing
Additional Details
+-
Carrier of genetic disease
Cytogenetic (microarray), molecular and biochemical genetic test results.
 
At time of referral: requirement for triage
Information relevant to family history. Include names of affected family members and their relationship to the patient.
 
At time of referral
Test results relevant to reason for referral
 
At time of referral. Requirement for triage.
1. Known carrier of a genetic condition (Carrier results required)
2. Couples at increased risk for a child impacted by selected genetic condition(s) due to ethnicity.
Note: Our service limits referrals to couples of the following ethnicity:
- Ashkenazi Jewish population,
- French Canadians of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean/ Charlevoix or Gasp©sie Bas St. Laurent regions.
3. Hutterite population.
+-
Connective tissue hereditary disorder
Cytogenetic (microarray), molecular and biochemical genetic test results.
 
At time of referral: requirement for triage
Information relevant to family history. Include names of affected family members and their relationship to the patient.
 
At time of referral
Test results relevant to reason for referral
 
At time of referral. Requirement for triage.
Please see Connective Tissue Disorder Clinic ARD for further details.
+-
Family history of genetic disease
Cytogenetic (microarray), molecular and biochemical genetic test results.
 
At time of referral: requirement for triage
Information relevant to family history. Include names of affected family members and their relationship to the patient.
 
At time of referral
Test results relevant to reason for referral
 
At time of referral. Requirement for triage.
Preconception (woman/couple concerned about close family member affected by a genetic condition; consanguinity)
Family history of concern for genetic condition warranting a genetic risk assessment +/- genetic testing (e.g. single gene disorders such as Cystic Fibrosis, Polycystic kidney disease, Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, Fragile X Syndrome). 
+-
Genetic syndrome
Cytogenetic (microarray), molecular and biochemical genetic test results.
 
At time of referral: requirement for triage
Information relevant to family history. Include names of affected family members and their relationship to the patient.
 
At time of referral
Test results relevant to reason for referral
 
At time of referral. Requirement for triage.
Patient has been diagnosed or has features of a genetic condition, warranting a referral for genetic evaluation, genetic counseling +/- diagnosis.
+-
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
Timing
Additional Details
+-
Genetic predisposition
Medication List (dose, frequency, route)
 
Within 1 month
Past medical history
 
Within 1 month
Genetic Report
 
Within 1 month
PATIENT APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Email
Print
 
MISSED APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES
A re-referral is required if 2 missed appointments or if patient declines.
A re-referral is required if 2 missed appointments or if patient declines.
 
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: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
 
ADDRESS
Dr. R. Brian Lowry Genetics Clinic
28 Oki Drive NW
Calgary Alberta
T3B 6A8
PATIENT APPOINTMENT INSTRUCTIONS
  • Bring your Alberta health care card and a piece of government issued photo ID.
  • Check in at reception 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
  • 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.
  • Check in at reception 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
  • 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
Alberta Children's Hospital is located on the corner of 24 Avenue NW and West Campus Drive NW
Alberta Children's Hospital is located on the corner of 24 Avenue NW and West Campus Drive NW
 
PHONE
403-955-7373
 
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Surface lots, and parkades available onsite
Surface lots, and parkades available onsite
 
EMAIL
WEBSITE
https://www.ahs.ca/info/page15513.aspx
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
 
 
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
Yes

Main entrance

Elevator accessible onsite


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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