Recently, it was brought to the attention of the British Columbia Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners [ATCMA] that one of its members was suspended by the regulating body, the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia [CTCMA] as a consequence of a patient safety issue as reported by the Fraser Health Authority [FHA] in Abbotsford, BC.

Last week the FHA issued an advisory for patients who have received acupuncture treatments from Ms. Duan (Deborah) Hu at her Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Centre located at #11, 2168 McCallum Rd, Abbotsford, BC.  Those patients are urged to get tested for HIV and Hepatitis B and C as the clinic in question MAY have been compromised by improper cleanliness procedures. At this time, there is no direct evidence and no known examples of this occurring in BC in the past. However, the FHA has requested patients to immediately contact their local healthcare providers.

The FHA usually does not get involved with this type of issue, but as a result of some patient file irregularities, the FHA was not able to contact all previous patients and decided to issue its public safety announcement.

The CTCMA and FHA have worked closely together in this matter and ATCMA has made the decision to follow suit to suspend Ms. Hu’s ATCMA membership because this is an extra-ordinary situation and it was deemed vital for public safety that the Ms. Hu and her clinic did not meet the Association’s high level standard of business and professional conduct. Besides, only registrants who are in good standing with the College can be active members of ATCMA.

ATCMA also understands that this is a delicate situation because it wants to support its members, but also to uphold the highest standards for public safety. When it has been shown that Ms. Hu has taken the necessary steps to comply with the corrective actions required by the FHA and the CTCMA, she will be reinstated to the ATCMA following some additional training and education required by the Association’s by-laws and professional conduct to meet her member obligations.

ATCMA agrees and supports the decision of the CTCMA to uphold and enhance the health and safety of the public.  The ATCMA is also prepared to assist Ms.Hu to become reinstated by the College.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Prepared on behalf of the ATCMA Board of Directors by Joseph Ranallo, PR Chair and Poppi Sabhaney, Advisor to the Board