Patients on Edge After Potential HIV and Hepatitis Exposure at Toronto Gynecology Clinic

Karin Martin, a concerned patient, found it hard to sleep last Sunday night after receiving a distressing letter from Toronto Public Health. The agency reached out to approximately 2,500 patients informing them they might have been exposed to bloodborne viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. This alarming message stemmed from a serious lapse in cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical instruments at the gynecology clinic operated by Dr. Esther Park in the city’s west end.

The letter specifically cautioned patients who underwent endometrial biopsies, IUD insertions, or cervical growth removals at Dr. Park’s clinic between October 10, 2020, and October 10, 2024, to seek testing for potential infections. “How do you even process that?” questioned Martin, who had three biopsies with Dr. Park last spring and summer before her diagnosis of uterine cancer led to an emergency surgery in September.

In a statement from Toronto Public Health, officials revealed that a patient complaint received in September prompted an investigation revealing insufficient disinfection practices and record-keeping failures at Dr. Park’s office. As of now, no infections have been confirmed linked to the clinic’s practices, according to media relations adviser Dane Griffiths.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has initiated an investigation into Dr. Park's infection control measures, which is still ongoing. Mickey Cirak, a communications adviser at the college, mentioned that Dr. Park is currently allowed to continue practicing under specific terms, including taking steps toward enhancing her medical record-keeping. Additionally, the college's website noted that Dr. Park agreed to limit her practice to office-based gynecology and was recommended to employ single-use instruments wherever feasible.

Recently, it was also revealed that Dr. Park plans to retire and close her practice at 20 Edna Ave. by April. Unity Health indicated that she had resigned from her position at St. Joseph’s Hospital last December, sparking further unease among her patients.

Lucie Stengs, who had her second IUD insertion scheduled with Park for March, reflected on her experiences at the clinic. She shared that her January visit had a "different vibe," with Dr. Park appearing distracted and utilizing single-use plastic instruments—borrowed from a sterile kit—rather than reusable ones, suggesting potential changes in practice prior to the fallout.

When Stengs learned of the concerning public health letter, her heart sank. Despite her appointments falling outside the specified date range for exposure warnings, she felt uneasy about the health risks posed to numerous others. “I feel personally concerned about why they’ve excluded people before and after those dates,” she stated, prompting her to schedule an appointment with her family doctor for further discussion.

Patients are left grappling with anxiety and uncertainty as they navigate the implications of potential exposure. Health officials recommend diligence in monitoring one’s health and pursuing testing if they suspect they may have been affected. Toronto Public Health continues to update guidelines and information for concerned patients amid this evolving situation.