Walker's Line Clinic Implicated in Multiple-Use Needle Incident with Local Anesthetic Medication between January 1, 2019, and July 17, 2025.
News Article: Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic Discloses IPAC Lapse
Halton Region Public Health has announced an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) lapse at the Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic in Burlington, Ontario. Dr. Deepika Lobo, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region, stated that protecting the health and safety of the public and patients is a top priority.
The IPAC lapse involves the use of an unsterile needle with a multidose vial of local anesthetic medication between January 1, 2019, and July 17, 2025. This practice may pose a risk of cross-contamination and transmission of infections. Patients who visited the Halton Family Centre Walk-in Clinic during this time period and received a treatment requiring local anesthetic by injection (freezing) may have been exposed to blood and blood-borne infections.
The investigation suggests that this was not an isolated incident, meaning it may have occurred previously during the identified time period between 2019 and 2025. The responsible authority for investigating the IPAC breach is Public Health Ontario.
Halton Region Public Health continues to actively monitor the situation and ensure compliance is maintained. The Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic has taken immediate corrective measures to ensure all necessary infection control measures are being met.
Patients who received a procedure that may require local anesthetic by injection at the Halton Family Health Centre Walk-in Clinic between January 1, 2019, and July 17, 2025, are advised to speak with their healthcare provider or visit a walk-in clinic to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
It is important to note that 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 should download and print a copy of the laboratory requisition and physician letter to bring to the healthcare provider.
Patients are advised not to visit a hospital emergency department as it is not necessary. Instead, they should contact Halton Region Public Health with specific questions about the IPAC lapse. The contact information for Halton Region Public Health is 311, 905-825-6000, or toll-free 1-866-442-5866.
A dedicated IPAC Lapse Disclosure webpage has been provided for more information about this incident. Public health continues to monitor the situation to ensure compliance and patient safety. At this time, there are no risks to the patients, and the clinic is open.
Halton Region Public Health urges anyone with concerns or questions to reach out to them for further information and guidance.
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