Screening For Life > For Health Providers > Colposcopy Care in Alberta

Recent updates

NEWS

July 12, 2024 – New colposcopy page launched!

To make it easier for colposcopists and colposcopy clinics in Alberta to find information about colposcopy, AHS Screening Programs established a webpage dedicated to gathering information relevant to colposcopy care in Alberta in one place. In October 2023, ACCSP sent out a survey to colposcopy clinics. The webpage content and layout are based on the results from the survey.

Current projects

Cervix Self-Screening pilot project

The HPV Self-Sampling (also known as the Cervix Self-Screening) Pilot Project is an Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP) initiative, funded by Alberta Health. This pilot project aims to increase cervical cancer screening participation in three under-screened populations in Alberta: Indigenous, immigrant/newcomer and rural/remote. Throughout the course of this 3-year project, 5,000 samples will be collected across the province.

Cancer Screening Virtual Education Videos

AHS Screening Programs have developed virtual education resources for patients. The videos aim to support patients preparing to have a colposcopy. The videos will eventually be available in several languages.

Opportunities for Collaborations

If you are interested in an opportunity to collaborate with the ACCSP on upcoming projects, please email accsp@ahs.ca

Colposcopy Information

The Colposcopy Quality Improvement Committee

The Colposcopy Quality Improvement (QI) Committee was formed in 2002. Colposcopists and colposcopy clinics are key partners of the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP).

Key responsibilities of the committee are to:

Make recommendations for the ACCSP quality measures and quality practices for colposcopy service delivery pertaining to cervical cancer screening and follow-up.
Ensure the appropriate collection of data to support quality assurance and quality improvement activities.
Support the standardization of evidence-based best practices for colposcopy services across the province.
Apply continuous improvement principles, methods and tools to:
- Determine current levels of service quality
- Understand cause of variations in levels of service quality
- Identify process variables related to best practices
- Design and implement strategies to improve service quality.

Standards and Guidelines

Guidelines for Delivery of Colposcopy Services (2022)
These guidelines provide best practices for colposcopy patient care and safety mechanisms for AHS and private colposcopy clinics across the province. The guidelines were created in partnership with the Colposcopy QI Committee and the Colposcopy Operations Working Group to support colposcopy best practices throughout Alberta.

Colposcopy Quality Improvement (QI) Committee Guidelines for Delivery of Colposcopy Services

Colposcopy Committee Decisions and Meeting Minutes

Meeting minutes

Committee Decisions

Coming soon

Provincial Annual Colposcopy Reports

This report accounts for annual quality management activities in the province. This includes reporting on colposcopy indicators and quality measures and practices across the province.   2022 Annual Colposcopy Report

Forms

Colposcopy Referral Form

This is a standardized referral form for primary care providers who need to refer their patients to colposcopy services.   Colposcopy Referral Form

Colposcopy Report Form

The Alberta Colposcopy Report Form (ACR) is an essential component for data collection, evaluation, and feedback for all colposcopy services in Alberta. Currently, the reACR form is available via ConnectCare and paper-based submissions to the ACCSP.

Blank Colposcopy Record Order Form

This document can be used to order blank colposcopy record forms.  Blank Colposcopy Record Order Form

Future state: The ACCSP is planning to update the Teleform to colposcopy fillable PDF form that can be transferred electronically from non-AHS clinics to the ACCSP via Connect Care.

Colposcopy Record Form Request

This form is meant for patients submitting a request for a completed Alberta Colposcopy Report submitted to the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program.
Completed Colposcopy Record Form Request

Colposcopy Clinic Location and Contact Information

InformAlberta.ca

This search engine offers a comprehensive search database for service providers in the province. Searching for “colposcopy” will provide a list of health providers associated with colposcopy services.
InformAlberta.ca  

Colposcopy Clinics (2016)

This list provides information on colposcopy clinics in Alberta. Updated 2016.
Colposcopy Referral Algorithm – List of colposcopy clinics

Program Information

The Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP)

The Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP) is a provincial population-based cancer screening program within AHS Provincial Population and Public Health. Working collaboratively with primary care, laboratories, colposcopists, health zone leaders and other key stakeholders, the program supports eligible women and people with a cervix (ages 25 to 69) to participate in regular cervical cancer screening every three years with a Pap test.

Established in 2000, the ACCSP has continued to increase its capacity to provide an evidenced-based comprehensive cancer screening program for Albertans.
The program’s core functions are to:

Identify individuals eligible to participate in cervical cancer screening;
Generate and send written correspondence to eligible individuals, including invitations, results, follow-up and screening reminders;
Promote cervical cancer screening and provide education to support eligible individuals, providers, partners and community stakeholders;
Address inequities in cervical cancer screening;
Set program screening standards and guidelines;
Provide quality improvement and quality assurance across the screening pathway;
Maintain a comprehensive centralized registry and tracking system database application for monitoring cervical cancer screening participation in Alberta;
Develop, monitor and report performance indicators for cervical cancer screening.

Regular cervical cancer screening is effective in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality. In fact, 90% of cervical cancer can be prevented with regular cervical cancer screening and abnormal result follow-up.

Clinical Practice Guidelines (2016) 

This document outlines cervical cancer screening clinical practice guidelines. This includes guidelines and recommendations on referral to colposcopy services.

Clinical Practice Guidelines – Detailed Version (2016)
Cervical Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guideline (2016)
Clinical Practice Guidelines – Summary (2016)
Summary: Cervical Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guideline (2016)

Further Screening Resources

ACCSP Cervical Cancer Screening Learning Module for Registered Nurses (2022)

This resource can be used to structure and plan professional development for registered nurses working with cervical cancer screening. The Learning Module’s purpose is to provide Registered Nurses (RNs) with knowledge and skill-based learning activities that may be used to develop and/or maintain competency in performing cervical cancer screening.
ACCSP Cervical Cancer Screening Learning Module for Registered Nurses (2022)

Indigenous Cancer Screening Resources  

Cancer Prevention and Cultural Safety resources developed in collaboration with indigenous communities. Coming soon

2SLGBTQI+ Cancer Screening Resources

Cancer screening resources have been developed in collaboration with 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Cervical Cancer Screening for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community

Health Provider Resources

Booklets

HPV Test of Cure Colposcopy Implementation Handbook (2022)
This handbook covers the provincial implementation of HPV Test of Cure in September 2022. HPV Test of Cure is a risk stratification tool for colposcopists. The handbook includes a clinical protocol, instructions for ordering and submission, patient education resources, monitoring and reporting, and communication with primary care providers. HPV Test Of Cure Colposcopy Implementation Handbook

Colposcopy Connect Care Implementation Guidelines

CC1762 CMIO Colpo Manual March 2024

SOGC Colposcopy Guidelines

SOGC Guidelines – HPV+ and Specific Populations
SOGC Guidelines – Risk-Based Approach to Cervical Dysplasia
Cervix Self-Screening pilot project (HPV self-sampling) Implementation Handbook (Coming soon)

Information Sheets

ACCSP HPV Test of Cure Information – Primary Care Providers

This document includes one page with information on HPV Test of Cure, and a one-page flow chart with guidelines for the follow-up of previously treated cervical intraepithelial lesions.
ACCSP HPV Test of Cure Information For Primary Care Providers

HPV Test of Cure Algorithm

This one-page document highlights the clinical protocol for HPV ToC.
HPV Test Of Cure Algorithm- One Pager

Does my Patient need a referral to Colposcopy? 

This document outlines a flow chart on recommendations for follow-up on abnormal pap tests, and a list of colposcopy clinics in Alberta (2016).
Does my Patient need a referral to Colposcopy?

Patient Education Resources

Brochures

Cervix Self-Screening pilot project

Information Sheets

HPV Test of Cure Patient Resource and HPV Vaccine
A 2-page information sheet for patients. The sheet contains short information about HPV, HPV Test of Cure, test results and the HPV vaccine.
HPV Test Of Cure Patient Resource And HPV Vaccine

Videos

Colposcopy Patient Educational Videos
Patient education videos have been developed by Screening Programs to improve consistency of information about colposcopies and to increase accessibility of information by offering the information in different languages. In the future, the videos will be available in different languages.
Colposcopy video series (alberta.ca) 

What to Expect During a Pap Test

This video from BC Cancer Agency explains what to expect during a pap test.
What to expect during a pap test.