Southwestern Public Health is reassuring patients of a Woodstock gynecology clinic the risk of infection is low after an investigation found medical instruments at the facility weren't being properly sterilized.
The investigation into infection prevention and control practices at Dr. D. Snider's Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic at 716 Dundas Street was launched after the health unit received a complaint in mid-September. Inspectors found the clinic's autoclave, which is used to process instruments, was not being routinely tested and was not functioning.
Medical instruments that have been improperly sterilized between uses can potentially expose patients to blood borne infections such as hepatitis b, hepatitis c or HIV.
"At this time, we have not received evidence that disease transmission has occurred," Dr. Ninh Tran, the region's medical officer of health, said in a statement. "Following the investigation, my initial assessment is that the risk of acquiring such an infection from improperly sterilized medical equipment in this setting is anticipated to be very low.
Tran is advising patients who had certain, unspecified procedures at the clinic between January 1, 2020 to September 12, 2022 to get tested as a precaution. All affected patients will be notified by mail. Those who believe they may be affected can learn more through the health unit's website.
"Dr. Snider is working closely with our public health unit, actively participating in the investigation process, supporting the notification of patients, and making the required changes to his IPAC practices,” Tran added. “Since our visit in September, for example, he has switched to disposable medical instruments.”
The results of the health unit investigation have also been shared with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
