The Chatham Skin Clinic is trying to set the record straight after Chatham-Kent (CK) Public Health issued an alert for patients.
Last week, patients who received medical procedures at the clinic on Keil Drive between October 1, 2024, and January 30, 2026, were told they should talk to a doctor about being tested for diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis.
CK Public Health claims this was done after being informed about a lengthy lapse in sterilizing and reprocessing medical equipment at the clinic.
In a statement, the Chatham Skin Clinic explained that all medical equipment was sterilized, but the sterilization was not properly documented.
"During a significant portion of the time frame, instruments were sterilized using hospital-grade sterilization systems, but the associated tracking and documentation were not fully maintained," read the statement.
The clinic did not explain why the sterilizing process wasn't properly documented, only that there was a record-keeping lapse.
Since the medical equipment was sterilized, they believe the risk of patients contracting bloodborne illnesses is low. The clinic also stated there have been no cases to date.
"As stated by CK Public Health, individuals who underwent procedural treatment at our clinic between October 1, 2024, and January 30, 2026, are encouraged to speak with their primary health-care provider to determine whether testing is appropriate for their personal circumstances," added the clinic's statement.
Several steps are being taken to ensure this issue doesn't happen again. This includes transitioning to single-use and disposable items, updating documentation protocols, and retraining staff.
The clinic also mentioned that a third-party audit is being done by Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Canada.
