Sterilization blunder at Edmonton clinic puts hundreds of patients at risk of hepatitis

A sterilization error at an Edmonton medical clinic may have exposed about 270 patients to hepatitis B and C.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) conducted an investigation that found inadequate reprocessing and sterilization of devices at the Northtown Medical Centre at 94 Street and 137 Avenue may have put patients at risk of infection.

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AHS said the risk of infection is low, but patients who had skin-invasive procedures (like mole removals, skin biopsies and stitching) are being advised to get a blood test.

Notification letters have been mailed to people potentially at risk.

The CPSA first identified “inadequate reprocessing procedures” during a November 2015 audit. The college was concerned with the findings and issued a “stop reprocessing” order to the clinic and alerted AHS, which conducted an inspection.

Together, the two groups determined a full risk assessment panel investigation was necessary. The investigation concluded in late June 2016.

Hepatitis B and C are liver infections. Mild symptoms typically appear several weeks or months after infection, and include abdominal pain, fever, dark urine, nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue, and jaundice.

At this time, AHS said there were no confirmed cases of illness linked to the improper sterilization procedures. It said the clinic has passed subsequent inspections and presents “no ongoing risk to patients.”

The office manager at the clinic – who does not want her name used – told Global News all of its staff were properly trained, but the clinic has switched to the single-use equipment.

She believes none of the 270 patients identified by AHS should be at any risk because the only patient they have with hepatitis has never had a procedure done at the clinic and only comes in to refill prescriptions.

Alberta Health issued a statement about the sterilization error on Monday afternoon.

“This is understandably concerning, and would be alarming for any patient now potentially at risk for infection,” Alberta Health spokesperson Carolyn Ziegler said in a statement. “Alberta Health will work with the college to make sure we are sharing information about new clinics and practitioners when they start operating in Alberta.”