Walkers Line Clinic allegedly used an unsterilized needle with a multidose vial of local anesthetic medication (freezing) from January 1, 2019, to July 17, 2025.
Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic Reports Infection Control Lapse
Halton Region Public Health has identified an infection prevention and control lapse at the Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic in Burlington, Ontario. The lapse occurred between January 1, 2019, and July 17, 2025, involving the use of an unsterile needle with a multidose vial of local anesthetic medication.
Patients who had procedures involving local anesthetics at the walk-in clinic during this period are encouraged to contact Halton Region Public Health for more information. The risk of infection is low, but patients are advised to complete precautionary testing.
Specific procedures that may be affected include laceration repairs, IUD insertions, endometrial biopsies, skin biopsies, removal of lumps and bumps, partial or complete nail removal, joint injections or aspirations.
Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic has taken immediate corrective measures to ensure all necessary infection control measures are being met. However, patients who received a treatment requiring local anesthetic by injection (freezing) at the clinic during the specified timeframe may have been exposed to blood and blood-borne infections.
Patients are advised to speak with their healthcare provider or visit a family dollar clinic to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. A laboratory requisition and physician letter are available for download to bring to the healthcare provider.
It is important to note that this practice may pose a risk of cross-contamination and transmission of infections. The investigation determined that this was likely not an isolated incident, meaning it may have occurred previously during the identified time period between 2019 and 2025.
The responsible authority for further investigation of incidents regarding insufficient infection prevention and control measures at the Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic would typically be the local public health department or regional health authority overseeing Burlington, Ontario, Canada. In this case, it is most likely the Halton Region Public Health Department, which has jurisdiction over healthcare facility inspections and infection control oversight in that area.
Public health continues to monitor the situation to ensure compliance and patient safety. Visiting a hospital emergency department is not necessary. The IPAC Lapse only includes the walk-in clinic during the specified time period and does not include procedures or care received at the family practice physician offices associated with the Halton Family Health Centre clinic.
Patients with questions about the lapse can call Halton Region Public Health at 311, 905-825-6000, or toll-free 1-866-442-5866. The IPAC Lapse Disclosure webpage provides more information about the lapse.
Protecting the health and safety of the public and patients is a top priority for Halton Region Public Health. Patients who experience any unusual symptoms that may be related to the lapse are advised to seek medical attention.
Halton Region Public Health continues to actively monitor the situation and ensure compliance is maintained.
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