Back in May, the Wildrose Party released a report about conditions at the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, citing serious concerns about the poor state of the hospital, and the inadequate level of care patients had been receiving.

Issues such as unsterile conditions, overflowing garbage’s, and a lack of proper staff training were brought to the attention of Alberta Health Services by some nursing students from Red Deer College on practicum in the long term care unit.

Since then, Alberta Health Services has conducted a thorough review of both clinical and administrative practices on that unit at the Lacombe site, which identified some sub-standard health care practices according to AHS Vice President and Chief Health Operations Officer for Central and Southern Alberta Brenda Huband.

"Some of the concerns were related to a general lack of respect for the residents, a culture of dependency on the use of wheelchairs, inappropriate incontinence care and there were some compentency concerns regarding professional practice and care delivery".

Staff training was reviewed with some changes implemented according to Huband.

“Mandatory staff education has been undertaken to ensure there’s a clear understanding of the appropriate care expectations. We have delivered 24 education models to date. And they include topics like wound care and management, falls prevention and risk assessment, oral care, safe bathing techniques, and medication assistance.”

Other actions taken include a site audit completed in partnership with Alberta Health.

Daily audits were first initially conducted, and they have since been changed to the usual weekly audits.

They will continue until AHS and Alberta Health are satisfied the site is consistently meetings those standards.

“Our focus now and always is on our residents,” says Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO of AHS. “We are confident that the residents are now being well cared for and that we are taking the right steps.”

A new resident council has also been created to improve how residents and families are involved in case decisions, something Huband says is very important, and has so far been extremely informative for both sides.

“The residents and families have been very responsive. We’ve had regular meetings with families and residents, to let them know, first initially when the concerns were first identified, and then we’ve had ongoing meetings with them over the last few months. They’ve been able to give us some feedback that we have acted upon, and I would say that, that the interaction has been positive, and the families have been very appreciate of being kept informed as to what’s happened at the site.”

AHS will also engage their Health Advisory Council (HACs) to help AHS better understand community perspectives on the care being provided at individual sites. The HACs will also be asked to help AHS directly engage with community members to hear any concerns or feedback.

The four individuals, who were placed on leave when the investigation at the Lacombe Continuing Care Centre began back in April, are no longer working with AHS.


AHS Comments on Report of Care Concerns at Lacombe Hospital

Wildrose Party Raises Care Concerns at Lacombe Hospital