Canadian Press File Photo

By Abby Zieverink

COVID

PCN allowing Grande Prairie residents to self-report positive COVID-19 rapid tests

Jan 12, 2022 | 3:06 PM

Residents across Alberta Health’s North Zone are being given the option to self-report their positive COVID-19 rapid tests for their medical history chart.

The COVID-19 support program was launched on Tuesday and is operated through the Alberta North Primary Care Network (PCN) in response to the surge of the COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant.

Grande Prairie PCN Executive Director Samantha Semograd says those who self-report their positive rapid antigen tests are offered supports and medical care.

“If they had questions or concerns, there’s an opportunity for those patients to go through an assessment through a PCN nursing team member.”

She tells EverythingGP all the information from the positive rapid test is sent back to the patient’s family physician.

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“It goes into their medical record and the physician may need to reach out to the patient if they are high risk or there is any risk involved.”

Many rural communities across the North Zone, including Grande Prairie, struggle with access for patients in primary care, explains Semograd.

She adds those who do not have a family doctor or are unable to get into a walk-in clinic, will also be given an opportunity to access further care.

“So patients who come through who don’t have a family physician and need further care following the nursing team assessment, we have a virtual clinic set up across the north zone of physicians and nurse practitioners who can offer them support,” she said.

The self-reporting of positive rapid tests is optional, however, Semograd believes it is also important as it gives patients physicians the full picture.

“If the patient is presenting and they don’t have it on file that the patient tested positive and it could be months down the line, at least that’s one of the things the physicians can look at, that maybe it is one of the long effects of COVID,” she explained.

Self-reporting a positive test is free and can be done either through the Alberta North Zone PCN website or by calling the toll-Free intake line at 1-833-884-2193 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for those wishing to speak with a member of the triage team.