Author/Editor		Lužnik-Bufon, Tatjana
Title		Prevention of infection with hepatitis B and C virus in health care settings
Type		članek
Source		In: Ferlan-Marolt V, Luzar B, editors. Viral hepatitis. Proceedings of the 35th memorial meeting to professor Janez Plečnik with international participation; 2004 Dec 2-3; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Faculty of medicine, Institute of pathology,
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 236-46
Language		eng
Abstract		In health care settings, bloodborne pathogens are transmitted to patients or to health care workers through contact with contaminated blood, serum-derived body fluids and body fluids that are visibly contaminated with blood. Patients can be infected as a result of transfusion of blood or blood products, transplantation, haemodialysis, invasive procedures performed by infected medical staff, or use of inadequately decontaminated instruments and devices. Percutaneous injury from hollow-bore blood filled sharp objects is the primary route through which health care workers occupationally acquire hepatitis B or C and other potentially fatal diseases. High-risk procedures include blood collection, intravenous cannulation and percutaneously placed syringes. Suture needles, scalpel blades and glass items used by medical staff also carry a risk if these devices have been in contact with contaminated blood. Exposures occur also through contact of eyes, nose, mouth or skin with the patient's blood. The paper describes measures for the prevention of hepatitis B and C virus transmission in health care settings and gives recommendations for the management of exposed individuals.
Descriptors		CROSS INFECTION HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS C HEALTH MANPOWER OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE RISK FACTORS BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS HEPATITIS B VACCINES HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGENS DISEASE TRANSMISSION, PATIENT-TO-PROFESSIONAL DISEASE TRANSMISSION, PROFESSIONAL-TO-PATIENT