Unlicensed Edmonton practitioner posed blood-borne pathogen risk, province warns
Max Klein, who lost his medical licence after drugging a colleague in 2015, was allegedly providing esthetic and medical services from a home-based business.
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Alberta's health ministry has issued a public alert after an unlicensed Edmonton resident allegedly provided esthetic and medical services, potentially exposing patients to blood-borne pathogens including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Max F. Klein, who has not held an active practice permit in Alberta since 2015, was representing himself as a physician and operating from a home-based business. According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, Klein lost his licence after administering MDMA to a colleague without her knowledge or consent on January 23, 2015. A CPSA Hearing Tribunal held on February 8-9, 2022, found him guilty of that conduct. His CPSA registration was cancelled in 2022.
At the time of the 2015 incident, Klein was a postgraduate medical trainee at the University of Alberta.
Anyone who received injections, needles, skin-penetration procedures, or other medical or esthetic services from Klein should call Health Link Alberta at 811 and speak with a healthcare provider to determine if testing, monitoring, or follow-up care is needed. People referred by Health Link will receive a full Blood and Body Fluid Exposure assessment through Primary Care Alberta, along with any necessary post-exposure prophylaxis.
The province reminded the public that procedures involving needles, injections, or skin penetration should only be performed by qualified, licensed providers who follow proper infection-prevention practices. Under Alberta's Health Professions Act, only regulated health professionals can provide health services or use protected titles like "doctor." Patients can verify a physician's credentials through the CPSA's Physician Directory.
The source has not disclosed how many patients may have sought services from Klein or the timeline over which his unlicensed business operated.
How many patients have contacted Health Link 811 or sought assessment after receiving services from Klein?
Over how long did Klein operate this unlicensed esthetic medical services business?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Why did Max Klein lose his medical licence?
Max Klein lost his licence after administering MDMA to a colleague without her knowledge or consent on January 23, 2015. A CPSA Hearing Tribunal found him guilty of that conduct on February 8-9, 2022, and his registration was cancelled in 2022.
What health risks did patients face from Max Klein's services?
Patients who received injections, needles, skin-penetration procedures, or medical or esthetic services from Max Klein were potentially exposed to blood-borne pathogens including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
What should people do if they received services from Max Klein?
Anyone who received injections, needles, skin-penetration procedures, or other medical or esthetic services from Max Klein should call Health Link Alberta at 811 to speak with a healthcare provider about testing, monitoring, or follow-up care.
