Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol 55, 570-572
PAPERS |
Exposure to blood borne viruses and the hepatitis B vaccination status among healthcare workers in inner London
P Gyawali, PS Rice and AJ Tilzey
Department of Virology, Guy's NHS Trust, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Occupational exposure to blood borne viruses was examined during one year at a London teaching hospital. A total of 236 incidents occurred of which 83% were related to sharps, 32% were clearly avoidable, and 7% involved an infected source patient. Overall uptake of hepatitis B vaccine was 78% but it was particularly low in paramedical (70%) and domestic staff (45%). Continued effort needs to be applied to improve uptake of hepatitis B vaccine and to maintain high standards of control of infection.
Copyright © 1998 Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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