Immunization Direct Submission mechanism (IDSM) Frequently Asked Questions

I have questions about completing the IDSM User Registration form, who can I contact?

For assistance, please contact the eHealth Services Provider Support at : 1-855-643-8649 or eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca

I submitted my IDSM user access registration form more than 2 weeks ago and no credentials have been received?

Forms are processed in the same order that they are received. If you have not heard back about your user registration within four weeks, please contact eHealth Services Provider Support at eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca  or call 1-855-643-8649.

Can any staff member be registered to access IDSM or only a custodian?

Any staff member can be registered but must be authorized for access by a custodian. The custodian must sign the IDSM User Registration Form. Custodians can authorize their own access.

Are there any pre-requisites that must be met prior to registering for IDSM access? Is there a PIA requirement?

There is no PIA requirement to use the IDSM application. A health provider/custodian (physician, pharmacist, or nurse) must authorize the access by signing the IDSM User Registration Form (URF). A custodian can self-authorize their own access to the IDSM application.

I am having trouble with the IDSM and cannot submit the immunization information, who can I contact?

Please review the user training material.  If you need additional assistance, please contact the eHealth Services Provider Support at : 1-855-643-8649 or eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca

As a professional administering an immunization, is my name associated with the dose provided when entering the immunization into the IDSM?

The IDSM application does not record who administered the vaccine. It is expected that the full information of this person be captured in internal clinical documentation. The user who logs into IDSM and enters the vaccine is recorded for auditing purposes.

What is the difference between a historical immunization event and an immunization event?

A historical immunization event is an immunization event that did not occur in your clinic. Example – an immunization provided by a client on an immunization card from another country or province should be recorded using the historical immunization event tab. An Immunization event is an immunization event that was administered in your clinic and/or to which you have access to the clinical documentation (even if it occurred in the past).

I have immunized a client that does not have a Public Health Number (PHN) or Unique Lifetime Identifier (ULI) (example: an international student with no Alberta Health Care number). Can I enter it in IDSM?

The IDSM application does not record who administered the vaccine. It is expected that the full information of this person be captured in internal clinical documentation. The user who logs into IDSM and enters the vaccine is recorded for auditing purposes.

The historical immunization record for my client is incomplete, illegible or in a language I cannot read. What do I do?

IDSM can only accept historical immunization records that are complete.  If the client presents an immunization record that is incomplete, illegible, or in a different language than English it does not need to be submitted.

The drop down lists in IDSM do not contain a value I expect (example: Vaccine, Reason for Immunization). What do I do?

Please email health.imm@gov.ab.ca  for assistance and provide what value you are expecting to see.

I made a mistake when I entered information into IDSM. How do I correct it?

I made a mistake when I entered information into IDSM. How do I correct it?

 

Step 1: Start an email to health.immdataquery@gov.ab.ca

 

Add a subject line of Immunization Data Correction <enter your site name here>

 

Step 2: Tell us about the changes you need made to the data you submitted through IDSM.

Copy the table below and paste it into your email and fill it out based on the instructions below:
    • Use one row for each data correction to be made.
    • DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • If any personal information needs to be corrected, AH will call you to obtain this information
    • Please provide the following information for each correction:
      • Batch Number: The number that displays on the page when you click submit in the green bar.
      • Date Batch Submitted: the date you clicked Submit on the record you need to change.
      • Field where mistake was made: write the label of the field where you made the mistake here – example: Reason for Immunization.
      • Change requested: Write a short description about what the correct value should be. Example: Change Reason for Immunization to “Occupational”.

 

Step 3: Tell us who to contact if we have questions.

Paste the following text into your email and replace the blue text with your information

Best contact person for questions regarding this error.
    • Person’s Name: < Your name here>
    • Phone Number: <Your phone number here>
    • Email Address: <Your email address here>
Step 4: Press Send!
 
If you have additional questions on this topic, contact the eHealth Services Provider Support at 1-855-643-8649 or eHealthProviderSupport@gov.ab.ca for additional support.
 

I used to fax forms into Alberta Health Services to report immunizations. Do I still need to do that if I use IDSM?

You no longer need to fax forms in if you are using IDSM.

Do I have to start entering all the Influenza vaccinations we administer into IDSM?

For the 2020-2021 season, given that most influenza immunization will have been administered by January 1st, 2021, the current aggregate reporting to AHS is sufficient and no entry into the IDSM application is required. 

For the 2021-2022 influenza season, the expectation is that all influenza doses be entered into the IDSM application if no other means are available to your organization (excluding pharmacy doses which we will get from Alberta Blue Cross billing).


Do I have to report all immunizations, including travel immunizations?

All administered immunizations, whether provincially funded or privately purchased, must be reported to Alberta Health. For example, as per the reporting requirements outlined in the Immunization Regulation, all privately purchased immunization such as travel immunizations and occupational health and safety immunizations must be reported.

Do immunizations need to be reported if service providers do not receive their vaccine supply from Alberta Health?

Yes. The Immunization Regulation applies to all immunization services in Alberta. This includes both provincially funded and privately purchased immunizations.

Are health practitioners required to report an assessment if the appointment is cancelled or the individual does not show up to the appointment?

A cancelled immunization appointment should be rebooked.  Nothing needs to be entered into IDSM at that time. 

Do all immunizations administered prior to January 2021 need to be entered retroactively?

Retroactive reporting is not required unless it is pertinent to the client as they present for immunization services.