London, ON – In June, the Middlesex-London Health Unit alerted current and past patients of DermEffects, a dermatology clinic at 1560 Hyde Park Road, of their potential exposure to blood-borne infections during specific medical procedures, due to a lapse in Infection Prevention and Control measures. Today it reminds those who have not yet spoken to their health care providers about testing to have those important conversations.

This notification is directed specifically to patients who received the following procedures at this location between January 3, 2012, and January 13, 2025:

• Punch biopsies
• Excision
• Curettage AND cautery - (these two together)

Non-medical procedures such as laser, or injectables performed with a needle (Botox, filler, etc.) are not included in the list of impacted procedures.

What You Should Do:

• MLHU recommends that patients of the clinic speak to a healthcare provider as a precaution if they received one of the procedures listed above at DermEffects between January 3, 2012, and January 13, 2025.
• This will help you assess your risk of blood-borne infections based on the type of procedure received and your overall health status so that you can determine if testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV is appropriate.
• Testing requires a requisition from your healthcare provider and is free for Ontario residents with a health card number. Individuals who do not have a primary care provider and wish to be tested can visit a walk-in clinic.

For more information: www.healthunit.com/faq-dermeffects-ipac-lapse.