Three staff members have been placed on leave at the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre after a review uncovered safety and sanitary problems and inadequate staff training.
Opposition Wildrose Leader Brian Jean described conditions at the facility as "appalling" during question period at the Alberta legislature on Tuesday.
The problems only came to light after nursing students from Red Deer College raised alarms in March, during their practicum at the facility.
"We are grateful that the students who were on the site did raise concerns and that AHS followed up immediately," said Health Minister Sarah Hoffman.
Leaked documents made public by the Wildrose show not all staff at the centre received training on infection control practices.
Training was also found to be deficient in the areas of wound care, dementia care and medication management.
Private client health information was left unattended in unsecured locations easily accessible to staff and families.
Opposition concerned about patient safety
Other problems outlined in the documents included expired sterile supplies, such as catheters, dirty linen and overflowing garbage found in the hospital's hallways.
Linda Moore Martin, the dean of health sciences at Red Deer College, said it would not have been easy for the students to raise such an issue and is "immensely proud" of their actions.
"I think the students coming forward with their concerns has made a huge difference for the residents and we are very pleased that Alberta Health Services has taken the concerns expressed by the students seriously," Moore Martin said.
Jean told the legislature the documents identified 80 problems at the centre, some of which he said jeopardized patient safety.
"Would the premier trust the level of care at this hospital to her own loved ones?" he asked in question period Tuesday.
Hoffman replied, and insisted she would feel confident if her family members were being cared for at the hospital. She said solutions to the problems have since been put in place.
Alberta Health Services is investigating the issue and is now taking steps it said will ensure that patients are get safe and effective care.
AHS says staff given more training
In a written statement, AHS said all 75 residents in the long-term care centre have had new health assessments and the centre has been thoroughly cleaned.
Education sessions are also being provided to staff.
The health authority said it has met with residents and their families to explain the situation.
An additional investigation is being conducted by the Protection for Persons in Care unit of Alberta Health.
The group responds to reports of potential abuse of patients in hospitals or nursing homes, in addition to examining accommodation standards.
That investigation was launched in March after Alberta Health was notified about the problems.
Alberta Health Services would not say what jobs were performed by staff placed on administrative leave, but said they'll remain on leave pending the outcome of the investigations underway.
