Ear irrigation is a routine procedure used to remove excess earwax, called cerumen, or foreign materials from the ear.

Production of wax is normal and it helps lubricate and protect the tympanic membrane and the walls of the ear canal. Generally, the outer canal is cleaned by a natural movement of wax outwardly. However, some people secrete more wax than others and form a build-up that leads to the formation of plugs.

Indications you may require ear irrigation:

• Ringing
• Clogged ear sensation
• Slight pain
• Partial or total hearing loss
• Irritation and / or itching
  

These treatments are performed by one of our nurses with support from a Nurse Practitioner. In preparation, you will be asked to administer oil drops daily prior to the appointment.

The CLPCN Nurse can provide an ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a quick non-invasive way to check your risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD occurs when narrowed arteries reduce the blood flow to your limbs. PAD can cause leg pain when walking and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The ABI compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm. This test shows how well blood is flowing in your limbs.

This test requires a referral from your Primary Provider. It may be indicated if you have leg pain while walking or have risk factors for PAD, such as:

• History of tobacco use
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Restricted blood flow (atherosclerosis) in other parts of your body

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network offers support to patients that are newly diagnosed with Hypertension and those that are not at target (140/90).

The Cold Lake PCN Nurses, with support from our Nurse Practitioners, provide support aimed at detecting and managing high blood pressure (BP), which may include:

• Regular BP checks
• Home BP monitoring
• Medication initiation and adjustment
• Education on lifestyle and modifiable risk factors
• Disease understanding
• Improved quality of life
• Reducing cardiovascular risk

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network provides comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s asthma status and will recommend/implement management strategies.

The Cold Lake PCN Nurses, with support from our Nurse Practitioners, provide the following services:

• Education for patients and their families about asthmaI
• Identify asthma triggers and trigger avoidance strategies
• Teach correct use of inhaler devices, peak flow meters and spacers
• Education on asthma medications
• Establish an action treatment plan with the Nurse Practitioner
• Provide follow-up for continued asthma control

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network offers medication administration support, which is provided by one of our Nurses. Various medication administrations are offered. These may include (but are not limited to):

• Iron injections
• B12 injections
• Allergy injections
• Oncology treatments
• Hormone injections

Patients who require medication injection services can contact the CLPCN to book an appointment with one of our Nurses. At the time of booking, the specific medication will be documented to ensure appropriateness of booking. The patient will be required to bring a copy of the medication order from their Provider as well as the medication itself to the appointment; without an actual order, the Nurse will be unable to administer the medication.

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network promotes and teaches self-management for those with newly diagnosed, mild to moderate COPD.

It is possible for anyone with COPD to live a healthy and enjoyable life. If you have COPD, you may have to learn new skills and ways to do things. Some of these changes may be minor while others, such as quitting smoking, taking medication and exercising regularly, will require more motivation and work. By introducing new healthy behaviors and skills, you will be able to manage your COPD.

The CLPCN Nurses, with support from our Nurse Practitioners, provide COPD education to patients with the aim to improve:​

• Disease understanding
• Self management skills
• Quality of life
• Frequency of exacerbations

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network offers confidential STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing, education and treatment.

Why should you be tested?

• You are sexually active
• You have never undergone a screening test
• You are at the beginning of a new relationship
• You had unprotected sex

If you have a perceived risk of STIs and desire information and/or testing, or you have a known STI and require treatment, we highly recommend you contact the CLPCN and book an appointment.

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network offers education and support for people living with prediabetes and diabetes.

The Cold Lake PCN Nurses, with support from our Nurse Practitioners, provide Diabetes support which includes:

• Disease education
• Medication management
• Insulin start instruction
• Diabetes assessment
• Glycemic control
• Improved quality of life
• Delay complications
• Improved morbidity

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network provides flexible and effective tobacco reduction support using a combination of behaviour management techniques, follow-up counseling, and medication assessment and management, depending on the needs of the individual.

Through one-on-one counseling sessions with a Nurse, patients receive support and guidance to:

• Understand the pros and cons of smoking
• Understand why quitting is hard
• Identify triggers and behaviours associated with smoking
• Manage stress without using tobacco
• Prevention of weight gain
• Set goals in support of your smoking cessation plan​

The Cold Lake Primary Care Network provides Dyslipidemia management to patients in order to help manage cholesterol, triglycerides and other cardiac disease risk factors.

The Cold Lake PCN Nurses, with support from our Nurse Practitioners, provide the following support services:

• Assessment of your current and future risk of a cardiovascular event
• Education about family history, lifestyle, exercise, nutrition and smoking cessation
• Disease understanding
• Lipid control
• Mortality and minimize morbidity

Warts are usually skin colored and have a raised appearance, but can also be dark, flat and smooth. Warts can be painful, irritating or cosmetically unwanted.

In most cases, warts are harmless and can disappear without treatment. However, people can seek treatment for warts when the condition is bothersome or embarrassing. In some cases, warts might recur after treatment.

Treatments may include:

• Freezing (cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen)
• Canthacur topical treatment
• Light debridment
• Other medicines may be ordered for home application

These treatments are performed by one of our nurses on the order of a Provider. More than one type of treatment might be necessary. Although practitioners attempt to clear warts quickly, most methods require multiple treatments.