The health minister is calling for a review into how health workers are tested for blood-borne illnesses. The move comes after a medical professional working in several Edmonton operating rooms tested positive for HIV and Hepatitis C.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) says 226 patients will now be tested for both diseases.
"In the interests of being transparent we are in the process of notifying those 200 patients," said Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services.
The health minister says he wants to ensure Alberta has the highest level of transparency as far as testing health workers for infectious disease.
Officials don't know when the worker became infected but say the worker notified AHS four months ago. The worker was involved in neurosurgical procedures on more than 200 patients.
Since then, patients treated by the worker have been identified and contacted.
Officials say the risk is very low that any have contracted HIV or Hepatitis C.
"It's very rare and in this case we did not identify and particular circumstances or incident with these patients where the transmission could have occurred," said Predy.
The incident now raises the question about whether health care workers should be regularly tested for infectious disease to ensure patient safety.
"It's probably time for us to have a look at what is it that we might do to help strengthen the position," said Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky.
As it stands right now, testing for a blood-borne illness is mandatory for health workers in Alberta. But if a worker does test positive, they are forced to notify regulatory bodies.
United Nurses of Alberta president Heather Smith doesn't believe mandatory testing is needed.
"No, I don't believe there is a need to move to mandatory testing of health care workers. What is important is the continued use of universal precautions."
And Liberal Leader David Swann agrees.
"It's a huge question and it has to do with a huge investment of money. It has to do with medical legal issues," he said.
Other surgical patients are being urged not to worry. Officials stress if patients were not contacted by AHS, they are not affected in this case.
With files from Scott Roberts
