|
|
|
|
City of Hamilton - Public Health Services
Vaccine Storage Issue at Hamilton hospitals
HAMILTON, ON - September 30, 2009 - Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and Hamilton Public Health are committed to transparency in our healthcare system, and to achieving high standards for health care in our community. Those principles are fundamental to all three organizations, and guided their recent decision to inform 575 patients that the vaccines they received at St. Joseph's Healthcare and Hamilton Health Sciences may not have been effective.
"Following a comprehensive review of vaccine storage protocols at Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, the hospitals and Public Health are jointly informing the public of some inconsistencies in applying vaccine storage standards," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, City of Hamilton.
"Both hospitals, along with Public Health, have worked hard to ensure we have corrected these problems and have implemented system improvements so these issues don't arise again," said Dr. David Higgins, Chief of Staff, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.
"Although the risk to the affected patients is very low, we are being very proactive and are in the process of contacting all the patients by either telephone or registered letter so we can arrange for appropriate follow-up," said Dr. Richard McLean, Acting Vice President Medical, Hamilton Health Sciences.
The hospitals will also be providing resources to the public and to family physicians as follows:
Patient Vaccination Information Line, St. Joseph's Healthcare - 905.522.1155 Ext. 32172
Drug Information Centre, Hamilton Health Sciences - (905) 521-2100, Ext. 76019
The following points detail the impact of the inconsistency:
- RABIES VACCINE: From January 2002 to August 2009, 62 patients were potentially impacted (33 patients at St. Joseph's Healthcare and 29 patients at Hamilton Health Sciences.) All affected patients are being offered assessment by our Infectious Diseases Physicians on site at Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. If revaccination is appropriate, the vaccines will be administered by the hospitals (unless the hospital clinics make special arrangements with some patients' family physicians.)
- TETANUS DIPHTHERIA VACCINE: from August 2007 to August 2009, 328 patients were potentially impacted (204 patients at St. Joseph's Health care facilities and 124 at Hamilton Health Sciences facilities.) There is no immediate health risk to patients from receiving this vaccination, but they may not have adequate immunization if they suffer an injury in the future. They are being advised to discuss the potential need for revaccination with their family physicians.
- MMR VACCINE: from August 30, 2008 to April 30, 2009, 185 patients at St. Joseph's Healthcare potentially received inadequate vaccination against MMR due to light exposure of a small number of vials. Impacted individuals are advised to discuss the potential need for testing to determine their immune status with their family physician and, if needed, revaccination.
For additional information, please contact:
Tara Hall, Communications Officer - Hamilton Public Health Services
905.546.2424 x2643 tara.hall@hamilton.ca
Heather Pullen, Manager - Public Relations & Communications, Hamilton Health Sciences
905.521.2100 x75939 pullenh@hhsc.ca
Brady Wood, Acting Lead – Public Affairs, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
905.522.1155 x35878 bwood@stjoes.ca
|