Halton Region Public Health warns of infection control lapse at Burlington clinic

Halton Region Public Health is warning of an infection control lapse at a walk-in clinic in Burlington over the last six years.

An investigation found that between Jan. 2019 and July 17 of this year, unsterile needles may have been used at the Halton Family Health Centre.

Approximately 1,000 patients may have been put at risk.

According to a media release, the same needles weren’t used continuously in that time, but proper infection prevention measures weren’t followed.

Public health staff say they identified improper infection prevention and control measures involving the use of needles with multidose vials of local “freezing” medication within the time frame.

Patients who received procedures involving local anesthetic during that period, such as stitches, biopsies, or joint injections, may have been exposed to blood and blood borne infections Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

Health officials say the risk of infection is low, but patients are urged to speak with their doctor about testing.

The issue only affects the walk-in clinic and not the family doctor’s offices in the same building. The clinic has taken immediate action and remains open.

CHCH News reached out to the Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic, but was continually “hung up on.”

An email from the clinic to CHCH News said no one was available for an interview, because “the public health team is actively focused on supporting affected residents.”

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