UPDATE Foot Care Clinics in WindsorEssex Suspended
The clinics in Essex, Harrow and McGregor are now closed.
Service has been suspended at three local foot care clinics after the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit identified multiple breaches in infection prevention and control practices.
On June 12th, the health unit received a complaint related to a number of foot care clinics.
Officials at the health unit say the breaches are related to reprocessing, cleaning, and handling of equipment along with an inadequate knowledge of infection control best practices.
As part of the on-going investigation, services have been suspended at Essex Community Services at 735 Victoria Avenue in Essex, Harrow Arena Community Room at 243 McAfee St. in Harrow and the McGregor Community Centre at 9571 Walker Road in McGregor.
The health unit also notes that the risk of infection is very low, but recommends that clients who have received services from any of the locations, consult their healthcare provider to discuss their specific risk.
The investigation is expected to conclude early next week and additional clinics could be added to the list.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed says the infractions cover a variety of issues.
"The kind of equipment that they're using, if they're single use instruments or multiple use instruments that the re-processing that is required to use it again," says Ahmed. "The cleaning of some of the equipment that they use to service their clients, the way they handle their equipment are they following all the right infection prevention control practices."
Dr. Ahmed tells AM800 News the risk is low, but those receiving wound care should contact a health care provider.
"If people are involved in receiving that kind of care at the clinic and if for any reason on that particular day and particular time if the practices were not followed there could be a risk for more systemic infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV."
The Medical Officer of Health says there could be multiple remedies for the infractions.
"They may need to upgrade some equipment, they may need to update their protocols and they may need to do some education of their employees," says Ahmed. "So it ranges depending on the type of breach that each of these facilities are individually facing right now."
Health unit officials also point out that this is a lapse in protocol only, and no blood-borne infections have been diagnosed or linked to the locations identified at this time.
Anyone who may be impacted can contact the Environmental Health Department at 519-258-2146 ext. 4475 to speak to a Public Health Inspector for more information.
