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October 21, 2010
VICTORIA – In April 2010, the Vancouver Island Health Authority notified approximately 500 patients who underwent ERCP endoscopy procedures at Victoria General Hospital between June 2008 and January 2010 that they may have been exposed to viruses during their tests.
While VIHA knew the risk to be extremely low (one in thirty million), patients had the right to know and be reassured about the remote possibility of transmission of infection. For that reason, the health authority took the precautionary step of notifying patients to encourage them to have follow-up testing done to rule out the possibility of transmission of infection.
VIHA is pleased to report it appears that no patient was infected as a result of the scope cleaning issue. In total, 463 patients were involved in the look back process and were offered testing. Of these, 391 accepted the offer and underwent testing for Hepatitis C, HIV, and Hepatitis B. Of these, there were nine positive Hepatitis C (HCV) results, but all these infections were known or proven to have occurred prior to their ERCP procedure. There was one positive HIV result – again this was an infection known to have occurred prior to the ERCP procedure. There were no positive cases of Hepatitis B.
VIHA now considers the ERCP look back closed. We sincerely regret the anxiety and stress this caused for affected patients and their families.
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Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270 |
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