Notice to MUHC patients who have undergone open heart surgery
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is informing its patients who have undergone open-heart surgery between these dates of the risk of bacterial contamination in devices (heater-cooler devices) used during open heart surgeries that require extracorporeal circulation:
- Between November 1, 2011 and October 27, 2016, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH)
- Between November 1, 2011 and October 27, 2016, at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH)
- Between November 3, 2015 and October 27, 2016, at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH)
Patients operated outside these dates have no reason for concern. However, if you have questions or concerns about your health, contact Info-Santé at 8-1-1.
The heater-cooler devices in question, which are used in many hospitals throughout North America and Europe, may have been contaminated with the bacteria Mycobacterium chimaera during their manufacture in Germany.
Although no MUHC patient has developed an infection and the risk of infection is minimal (less than 1%), we felt it was necessary to inform all patients who have undergone open heart surgery since November 2011 by letter and/or telephone, as well as the public, through our website, about the situation.
All cleaning and disinfection measures recommended by the manufacturer, as well as quality controls, are in place at the MUHC and are being carefully observed.
For more information, please visit the section Questions and answers for patients who have had an open heart surgery. If you are a patient who underwent open heart surgery at the MUHC since November 2011 and you have further questions, the MUHC has set up a toll-free call centre, which you can reach by dialing 1-888-996-9088. Please leave a message with your name, telephone number and hospital card number. An MUHC professional will call you back as soon as possible.
For more information
Questions and answers for patients who have had an open heart surgery
Notice to Patients: Risk of Contamination from Open-Heart-Surgery Devices