What is Alberta Netcare?

Alberta Netcare, known as the provincial Electronic Health Record (EHR), is a secure and confidential electronic system. It is accessible to health professionals and contains Albertans’ personal health information. 

What is Personal Health Record (PHR)?

A PHR is an electronic, lifelong resource of health information needed by individuals to make health decisions. Individuals own and manage the information in the PHR, which comes from healthcare providers and the individual. The PHR is maintained in a secure and private environment, with the individual determining rights of access. The PHR does not replace the legal record of any provider. (American Health Information Management Association).

What is Electronic Health Record (EHR)?

An EHR is a secure and confidential electronic system that collects and stores health information. It is made up of many connected components, which together deliver healthcare providers key patient information at the point of care. Alberta Netcare is Alberta’s provincial EHR.

What is Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?

An EMR is a computer-based patient record specific to a single clinical practice, such as a family health team or group practice. In clinical settings where there are a number of doctors, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, EMRs can improve communication between them and support productivity. EMRs can also improve communication between healthcare providers and patients, positively impacting health outcomes and patient safety. (Canada Health Infoway)

How much does it cost for facilities to register?

Alberta Health and Wellness does not charge for any of the services related to registration, training or ongoing use of this application. There may be a cost if a facility requires additional technical and network configuration and must purchase the technology required for access.

How do I register?

Health professionals can begin the registration process by contacting the eHealth Services Provider Support:
Phone (toll free): 1-855-643-8649 
Email: eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca

Is Alberta Netcare only for Edmonton?

The Alberta Netcare EHR is a province-wide clinical tool that makes key patient health information available across the province. Alberta Netcare is available to authorized health care providers who are providing patient care anywhere in Alberta.

What is a PIA? How do you complete one?

The PIA is an important document that outlines the process you have taken to ensure that your facility is able to protect your patients’ personal health information. More information about PIAs can be found on the Registration page.

Who else is using the EHR?

There are about 25,000 active users of the provincial EHR, who access information from locations across Alberta. More information about the types of health professionals, and the geographic distribution is on the Current Status page.

Why can't I look up my own information?

Many health professionals have inquired as to why they are not permitted to access their own health information using Alberta Netcare. The reason for this is that there is legislation in place that requires health professionals to only access the health information that they need in order to provide an individual with health services. Health professionals are not permitted, based on their professional standards of practice, to provide health services to themselves. Because of this, they are not permitted to view their own EHR.

Like every Albertan, health professionals have the right to view their patient records with their own health care providers, or make a formal request for a copy of this information. For more information about making a formal request is on the Privacy and Security page.

How can I find out if anyone has looked at my information?

Alberta Netcare logs and monitors all access to the EHR. Individual audit logs can be requested by contacting the Alberta Health and Wellness Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) office at: 780-422-5111.

Is the patient information complete?

The purpose of the provincial EHR is to provide key health information where and when it is needed. Some health records, such as private doctor’s notes, are not included in the EHR. The data that is currently being captured through the EHR is substantially complete. For up-to-date information about the percentage of data that is successfully contributed to the EHR, please visit the Current Status page of this website.