Dr. Hana Mitchell – Infectious Disease Specialist | Vancouver, BC

Dr. Hana Mitchell is a dedicated Infectious Disease Specialist, committed to providing expert medical care for patients with infectious diseases. Practicing at an infectious disease clinic in Vancouver, she is a trusted provider of specialized infectious disease care in the community. The clinic is located in Vancouver's Shaughnessy, Arbutus Ridge South neighborhood, conveniently accessible via public transit options including TransLink (SkyTrain Expo/Millennium/Canada Lines, Bus, SeaBus, West Coast Express - Waterfront). The facility is equipped for infectious disease consultations and follow-up care, offering a professional and discreet environment tailored to meet the needs of patients requiring specialized infectious disease management. Convenient parking options are usually available in proximity to the clinic, ensuring ease of access for all patients.

Dr. Mitchell graduated with an MD from McMaster University in 2011. Following her medical degree, she completed residency training in Internal Medicine, followed by a specialized fellowship in Infectious Diseases. She is a board-certified Infectious Disease Specialist with extensive postgraduate training, ensuring her practice aligns with the highest standards of care. She holds key certifications including Certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, affirming her expertise and commitment to ongoing professional development.

Her professional philosophy centers on accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of infectious diseases using evidence-based medicine. She is dedicated to educating patients about their conditions and infection prevention strategies, promoting antimicrobial stewardship to combat antibiotic resistance, and focusing on vulnerable populations and complex infection management. Dr. Mitchell emphasizes collaborative care by working closely with primary care physicians, public health authorities, and other specialists to optimize patient outcomes and community health. All communication and care are provided in English, with a deep commitment to patient health and well-being in Vancouver.

Dr. Hana Mitchell provides expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of infectious diseases, including:

Common Bacterial Infections

Dr. Mitchell manages treatment typically involves appropriate antibiotic therapy, a cornerstone of infectious disease practice.

• Pneumonia (Bacterial): An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus.
• Sepsis and Bacteremia (Bloodstream Infections): Requires rapid diagnosis and aggressive treatment with antibiotics and supportive care.
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (e.g., Cellulitis, Abscesses): Prompt treatment is important to prevent spread.

Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

Dr. Mitchell manages focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, and aggressive management of infections.

• Infections in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Recipients: Management of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) related infections.
• Primary Immunodeficiency-Associated Infections: Diagnosis and management of recurrent or unusual infections in individuals with inherited defects in their immune system.
• Infections in Cancer Patients (Oncology): Close collaboration with oncologists.

Viral Infections and Syndromes

Dr. Mitchell manages illnesses caused by viruses, ranging from common acute conditions to chronic infections.

• COVID-19 and Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID): Expertise in antiviral treatments and evolving understanding of the disease.
• Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses: Management of seasonal influenza and other viral respiratory infections, especially in high-risk individuals or severe cases.
• Herpesvirus Infections (HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV): Management of infections caused by herpes simplex virus (cold sores, genital herpes), varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox, shingles), cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus.

This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation of your condition, a consultation with Dr. Hana Mitchell is necessary.

• Antimicrobial Stewardship and Management: Development and implementation of antimicrobial guidelines and protocols.
• Management of Infections in Immunocompromised Hosts: Specialized care for patients with weakened immune systems due to conditions like organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, or immunodeficiency disorders.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis and Management: Management of complex TB treatment regimens, including drug-resistant TB.
• Management of Common and Uncommon Infections: Includes skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and endocarditis.
• Bone and Joint Infections (Osteomyelitis, Septic Arthritis): Diagnosis and long-term antimicrobial management of infections affecting bones and joints.
• Travel Medicine and Tropical Diseases Consultation: Pre-travel risk assessment, vaccinations, and advice on preventing travel-related infections.

Note: This list provides an overview. Specific diagnostic and treatment plans are determined after a thorough consultation with Dr. Mitchell.

All infectious disease services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) and relevant Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI Canada), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and relevant provincial guidelines. A referral from a physician is generally required for consultation.

Dr. Mitchell practices primarily at an infectious disease clinic located in Vancouver's Shaughnessy, Arbutus Ridge South neighborhood. The clinic is situated near Vancouver Lookout and is easily accessible via public transit options including TransLink (SkyTrain Expo/Millennium/Canada Lines, Bus, SeaBus, West Coast Express - Waterfront). The facility offers a professional and discreet environment equipped specifically for infectious disease consultations and follow-up care. Patients can find convenient parking nearby, making access to her specialized services straightforward and comfortable.

When should I see an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Mitchell?

You should see an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Mitchell if you have an infection that is severe, persistent, recurrent, difficult to diagnose, or not responding to standard treatments. This includes conditions like fevers of unknown origin, complex infections after surgery or travel, HIV, viral hepatitis, or if you are immunocompromised and develop an infection. A referral from your family doctor or another specialist is typically required.

What is the difference between an Infectious Disease Specialist and a Medical Microbiologist?

An Infectious Disease (ID) Specialist like Dr. Mitchell is a clinician who directly diagnoses and treats patients with infections. A Medical Microbiologist is primarily a laboratory-based specialist who oversees the lab testing for bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites; they interpret lab results and advise clinicians on diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility. While their roles are distinct, they work very closely. Some physicians, like Dr. Mitchell may be dually certified in both ID and Medical Microbiology, bridging clinical patient care with laboratory diagnostics. An Infectious Disease Specialist, specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

What are some common conditions treated by Dr. Mitchell?

Dr. Mitchell treats a wide spectrum of infectious conditions. Common areas include HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis (B and C), tuberculosis, complex bacterial infections (like sepsis, endocarditis, or osteomyelitis), fungal infections, parasitic diseases, fevers of unknown origin, and infections in immunocompromised patients. She is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

What does an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Mitchell specialize in?

Dr. Mitchell is an Infectious Disease Specialist, a physician expert in the intricate world of infections. She provides comprehensive care for various infectious conditions, from common illnesses to rare tropical diseases, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and infections requiring specialized antimicrobial therapy. She specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

What is Dr. Mitchell's role in antibiotic stewardship?

Dr. Mitchell contributes to antibiotic stewardship by promoting judicious antibiotic prescribing. This helps combat the growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria. She advises on appropriate antibiotic selection and duration for complex infections, and may be involved in hospital or community programs to improve antibiotic use.

Are services from Dr. Mitchell covered by provincial health insurance?

Most specialized medical care for infectious diseases provided by Dr. Mitchell under Medical Services Plan (MSP) is covered. This typically includes hospital and outpatient consultations for complex infections. For specific services like certain travel vaccinations, it's best to confirm coverage with the clinic or Medical Services Plan (MSP).

an infectious disease clinic in Vancouver
K4-165, 4480 Oak Street, Pediatric Infectious Disease - Ambulatory Care Building
Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4

Office Phone: (604) 875-3039

Dr. Mitchell is a licensed Infectious Disease Specialist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) under the Health Professions Act in British Columbia. A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required for a consultation with Dr. Mitchell, particularly for services covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP).

Verify Dr. Mitchell's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/358465/Mitchell%2CHana