Testing Recommended for Clients of Huai Kui Xu TCM Clinic
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The Regional Municipality of York inspected Huai Kui Xu TCM Clinic located at 150 Berwick Crescent in the City of Richmond Hill on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, after being made aware of health and safety concerns.
The investigation found the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic had inadequate infection prevention and control practices with wet cupping and micro-needling/derma rolling services. Devices used by the clinic for wet cupping were not properly cleaned and sterilized between clients and single-use micro-needle/derma rollers were reused on multiple clients and there is a risk that clients of the clinic may have been exposed to blood-borne infections.
Immediately upon identification of inadequate infection prevention and control practices, York Region Public Health issued a Section 13 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to stop the clinic operator from performing services of concern.
While the risk to clinic clients who received wet cupping and/or micro-needling/derma rolling services is considered low, as a precaution, York Region Public Health is asking clients who received one or more of these services at this clinic between October 1, 2015 and June 7, 2023, to seek medical follow-up and be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by their family doctor, nurse practitioner or at a walk-in clinic.
Wet cupping procedure on person’s back.
Close-up of micro-needle roller/derma roller.
Cupping is a form of alternative medicine where local suction is created on the skin using special cups. Wet cupping is when cupping is performed after the skin is punctured (for example, with acupuncture needles) and blood and/or body fluids are drawn out.
Micro-needle rollers, or derma rollers, are devices with small, fine needles on a roller that are rolled over the face and/or body to create microtears in the skin. During wet cupping and micro-needling/derma rolling procedures, equipment may come into contact with blood and/or body fluids.
Public notification of this investigation is being conducted as the clinic had inadequate client documentation practices, and York Region Public Health is not able to follow up with clients directly. As such, there is an inability to follow-up with clients directly. Clients can view frequently asked questions below and download, print and bring a copy of the health care professional letter, laboratory (lab) requisition and lab instruction form (found under Resources at bottom of page) to their family doctor, nurse practitioner or a walk-in clinic to facilitate testing.
York Region routinely inspects restaurants, pools, whirlpools, wading pools, splash pads, small drinking water systems, child care centres, before and after-school programs, recreational camps and personal service settings as per the Ontario Public Health Standards.
Regulated health professionals are regulated by their respective colleges and must follow infection prevention and control best practices as outlined by their regulatory colleges. York Region Public Health inspects regulated health professionals upon referral or complaints where there are concerns with infection prevention and control practices.
If anyone has a concern about the infection prevention and control practices at a premise such as a clinic providing medical or complementary and alternative medicine services, they can report it to York Region Public Health by contacting Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email @email
For more information on preventing infections, please visit york.ca/health
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cupping?
Cupping is a form of alternative medicine where local suction is created on the skin using special cups. Cupping therapy may be performed on its own, known as dry cupping. Wet cupping is when cupping is performed after the skin is punctured (for example, with acupuncture needles) and blood and/or body fluids are drawn out. Clients who received wet cupping services from the Huai Kui Xu TCM Clinic may have been exposed to a blood-borne infection such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
What is a micro-needle/derma roller?
Micro-needle rollers, or derma rollers, are devices with small, fine needles on a roller that are rolled over the face and/or body to create microtears in the skin. Clients who received micro-needling or derma rolling services from the Huai Kui Xu TCM Clinic may have been exposed to a blood-borne infection such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
Where and how do I get tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV?
Book an appointment with a family doctor or nurse practitioner for an assessment and bring the health care professional letter, lab requisition and lab instruction form with you to inform the health care professional of the situation. Do not alter the lab requisition in any way. A doctor or nurse practitioner must complete and sign the lab requisition before going to a lab. Bring the completed and signed lab requisition and lab instruction form to a lab that provides blood testing services.
If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner you see regularly, you may take the health care professional letter and lab requisition to a walk-in clinic and have a doctor or nurse practitioner at the walk-in clinic complete and sign your lab requisition before going to a lab.
I do not have an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card. What should I do?
Please call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 for assistance.
How much does the test cost?
Testing is free for Ontario residents. If you are not an Ontario resident or do not have insurance and/or OHIP, please call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.
How will I get my test results and how long will it take?
Test results will be sent to the doctor or nurse practitioner who completed and signed your lab requisition within two weeks of testing. To access your results, follow-up with the doctor or nurse practitioner directly.
What if my test results are positive?
If your test results are positive, your doctor or nurse practitioner will advise you on next steps. York Region Public Health will also contact you to provide education, assistance with follow-up of contacts and connection to care.
Where can I learn more about Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
You can access the Health Canada web pages below for more information about these infections or speak with a doctor or nurse practitioner.
How do I know if the services I’m receiving from a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or acupuncturist are safe?
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario and must follow the standards and guidelines for infection prevention and control.
When accessing personal or medical services at premises, there are steps you can take to stay safe:
- Look around and ask questions; ask how they clean and sterilize their equipment and which items are single use only
- Make an informed decision and refuse service if you are uncomfortable; you have a right to have a safe, clean service with clean tools and clean hands
- Report concerns or complaints; call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or email @email
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you have any further questions, please contact Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
