The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is notifying patients of Dr. George Rice about potential exposures to blood-borne infections for procedures administered between 2019 and September 2023.

The practices that led to the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) lapse are being corrected. However, the Health Unit is advising anyone who received a procedure, including injections, lumbar punctures, or bone marrow biopsies between 2019 and September 2023, may be at risk of possible exposures to blood-borne infection. Although the risk of such an infection is low, the Health Unit advises patients to consult their healthcare provider to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis, as a precaution.

The Health Unit conducts inspections and investigations of healthcare settings in response to public complaints. An IPAC Lapse Disclosure Report for Dr. Rice's clinic was completed on November 24th, 2023. This information is being shared to the broader community to inform anyone who received a procedure from Dr. Rice in the stated timeframe, to contact a healthcare provider for precautionary testing.

Please note: At this time, no cases of blood-borne infections have been directly linked to Dr.
Rice’s practices.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Infectious Disease Control Team at 519-663-5317 or by email at IDC@mlhu.on.ca.

Patients and healthcare providers seeking more information about this IPAC lapse are directed to MLHU’s website at: www.healthunit.com/ipac-lapses.

Media Contact:
Morgan Lobzun, Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0571 (cell) or media@mlhu.on.ca

Spokesperson:
Dr. Joanne Kearon, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit