A "lapse in infection prevention and control practices" at a group of London health clinics has led local health officials to urge patients to look into getting their blood tested.
The Middlesex London Health Unit says anyone who had a wound treated at London's ParaMed Flex Clinics should speak to their health care provider about the possible need for blood testing. The health unit investigated disinfection practices at four ParaMed clinics in London after getting a complaint about cleanliness. Inspectors discovered that wound care instruments were not being sterilized between use on patients.
"The practices which led to the IPAC lapse have been addressed and there is no further risk of infection," the health unit said in a statement released Monday. "However, MLHU is advising that anyone who received wound care at ParaMed Flex Clinics between 2008 and July 27th, 2018, may be at risk for having acquired a bloodborne infection."
The risk of infection is low, according to the health unit. However, it is required that patients be notified and advised to consult their health care provider to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The health unit says there have been no blood-borne infections diagnosed and linked to the ParaMed clinics. It adds it may be impossible to determine if any infection was the result of procedures done at ParaMed clinics or from other exposures.
“Although the risk in this situation is not zero, it is very low,” said Dr. Alex Summers, the associate medical officer of health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “ParaMed has taken appropriate steps to protect patients going forward.”
There are four ParaMed clinics in London. They are at 124 Barker St., 148 Fullarton St., Westmount Mall, and 1340 Huron St.