31 people in Hamilton area received incorrect COVID-19 test results due to ‘processing error’
Published January 11, 2021 at 7:51 am
A processing error at the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program (HRLMP) has resulted in 31 individuals receiving incorrect COVID-19 test results.
In a press release issued by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Sunday evening (Jan. 10), the health-care provider said that all individuals who have received incorrect test results have been contacted and that “immediate action was taken to address this error.”
“We sincerely apologize for the impact on those who have received incorrect test results,” said Dr. Marek Smieja, Interim Chief of HRLMP.
According to the release, the tests were collected in Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding area on December 30th and 31st and were processed at HRLMP.
Of the 31 individuals, 16 who were COVID-19 positive initially received a negative test result and 15 who were COVID-19 negative initially received a positive test result.
“All individuals who received incorrect test results have been contacted by Public Health or an infectious diseases physician to provide guidance,” the release said.
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“Public Health is conducting contact tracing as appropriate.”
Since March 2020, HRLMP has performed more than 350,000 COVID-19 tests, and currently doing up to 2,500 tests each day.
HRLMP continually monitors and evaluates its processes to ensure it meets or exceeds standards of care and regulatory requirements.
HRLMP is a joint program operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences.
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