Public Health orders Kitchener clinic to suspend client procedures
Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Public Health has ordered a Kitchener pain management clinic to suspend procedures following an investigation prompted by a client complaint.
The order, issued by the Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, requires the suspension of services that involve procedures requiring infection prevention and control practices. The procedures were offered at Dr. K. S. Billing Pain Management Centre. The Centre is located at 1601 River Road East, Unit 30B.
Public Health has identified the possibility of a bacterial infection risk in clients who have undergone procedures at the clinic. This does not include services where clients did not undergo procedures, such as consultations. Patient procedures requiring infection prevention and control practices are suspended until further notice. Public Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario are collaborating on this investigation.
Public Health is advising clients who are within 30 days of their last procedure at the clinic to monitor for possible signs and symptoms of infection, and to seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
Signs and Symptoms include:
- Pain or discomfort in the injection area, increasing over time
- Increased drainage of the injection site
- Increasing redness, warmth to the touch and swelling of the injection area
- Fever/Chills
For clients for whom it’s been more than 30 days since their last procedure, if they have questions about whether symptoms they've experienced may be related to a procedure at this clinic, we advise them to consult with their health care provider. If health care providers suspect a patient of theirs has an infection associated with this clinic, they are asked to contact Region of Waterloo Public Health.
Region of Waterloo Public Health is currently investigating past practices at this clinic and will take any additional appropriate actions as needed.
Public Health investigates clinics only in response to complaints related to infection prevention and control practices or identification of concerns through our monitoring of infections in the community which are reportable to Public Health. Premises where certain procedures are performed are inspected and overseen by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
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Media contact:
Julie Kalbfleisch, Manager, Information & Communications
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
519-575-4400 ext. 2270