The linen services department posted a disabling injury rate of 12.06 as of January this year, well above the AHS average rate of 3.01.
Though the documents declare AHS to be at a "critical point," executive Mauro Chies tried to downplay the concern.
"I don't think we are at critical threshold point right now, but it is on our radar," said Chies, vice-president of clinical support services. AHS is looking at a number of infrastructure options, with a decision expected late this year, Chies said. One of those options is a system of four hubs that would likely be located in Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Ponoka and one north central community, such as Athabasca. He suggested the construction bill could come in well below estimates quoted in the documents, because AHS is looking at using older warehouse sites already owned by the government, if possible.
The new sites would likely include a high level of automation, which could reduce staffing needs about 50 per cent.