News 08/11/1992
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS Sharon Snider August 11, 1992 (301) 443-3285 Federal government scientists, healthcare professionals and medical device manufacturers will meet Aug. 17-19 in Washington, D.C., to discuss ways to prevent infection of healthcare workers from contaminated medical devices. "Frontline Healthcare Workers: A National Conference on Prevention of Device-Mediated Bloodborne Infections" is being sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It will be at the Hyatt Regency Washington Hotel. Healthcare workers frequently contract hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases from accidental cuts by sharp medical instruments such as hypodermic needles and scalpels. A number of workers also have been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus as a result of such injuries. The conference will assess the problem in the light of new and emerging technology, promote development of improved medical devices and explore ways to prevent infection. For further information, contact Laura Timperio, Frontline Healthcare Workers, PACE Enterprises, Inc., 17 Executive Park Dr., Suite 200, Atlanta, Ga., telephone (404) 633-8610, fax (404) 633-8745. ###