AHS network outage being resolved, 3rd party review initiated

The network outage that impacted Alberta Health Services (AHS) earlier today has been resolved, and a third party is going to look into the cause.

According to a statement from AHS, services are being carefully restored, with priority being given to critical patient care areas, such as emergency departments.

It also says the review will begin “shortly,” which they say is to help determine the cause of the network outage, and to prevent anything similar from happening again.

“It is imperative that we understand what happened today so that it does not happen again,” said Dr. John Cowell, AHS Official Administrator, in a statement. “I would like to thank Albertans
for their patience, as well as the teams involved in getting our systems back up and running.”

Health Link 811, which provides health advice and information, is fully available, and wait times are back to normal.

AHS says it postponed some elective, non-urgent surgeries as a precaution, and it says that patients are being contacted for rebookings.

In addition, 911 calls are unaffected, and EMS dispatch is up and running “with backup procedures.”

Lab services will also be reduced at some locations, while “urgent results are communicated by fax and/or telephone.”

AHS adds it will be focusing on critical lab work only, and anyone with a routine appointment will need to reschedule.

It also says its teams are continuing to use downtime procedures, which are immediately put into place if an electronic system isn’t available and ensures patient care can continue.

Earlier today, callers to CityNews said some hospitals are without internet completely.

A temporary AHS website is available that will provide updates as services are restored.

Glenda Sahlen, deputy chief of Calgary 911 Operations, says people should continue to call 911 in an emergency.

“We are working closely with AHS to maintain our critical communications through preestablished mutual aid radio channels,” Sahlen said.

–With files from Courtney Theriault, Lisa Grant, and The Canadian Press