Healthcare Settings and Viral Hepatitis
The delivery of health care has the potential to transmit hepatitis B virus
(HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) to both healthcare workers and patients.
Outbreaks of HBV and HCV infection have occurred in outpatient settings,
hemodialysis units, long-term-care facilities, and hospitals, primarily
as a result of unsafe injection practices; reuse of needles, fingerstick
devices, and syringes; and other lapses in infection control. To prevent
transmission of bloodborne pathogens, healthcare workers should adhere to
recommended standard precautions and fundamental infection-control principles,
including safe injection practices and appropriate aseptic techniques.
For continued protection, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that healthcare and public safety workers with reasonably anticipated risk for exposures to blood or infectious body fluids receive the complete hepatitis B vaccine series and have their immunity documented through postvaccination testing.
Guidelines and Recommendations
Infection Control
Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities
Recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices
Advisory Committee (HICPAC), MMWR 2003;52(RR-10)
See separate sections on:
Occupational Health
Management
of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure
Prophylaxis
MMWR 2001;50(RR-11)
Recommendations
for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related
Chronic Disease
MMWR 1998;47(RR-19)
Bloodborne Infectious
Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus
Key resources from CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health
Occupational Safety and Health Standards: Bloodborne pathogens—Regulation
1910.1030
OSHA regulations pertaining to all occupational exposures to blood or other
potentially infectious materials
Vaccination
Hepatitis
B Vaccination Guidelines for Adults
ACIP recommendations; address vaccination and postvaccination testing of
healthcare and public safety workers, MMWR 2006;55(RR-16)
Immunization
of Health-Care Workers
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC),
MMWR 1997;56(RR-16)
State Immunization Laws for Healthcare Workers and Patients
Searchable database of state immunization laws
Related Pages
-
CDC
Bloodborne Pathogens in Healthcare Settings
-
Federal
-
Other
National Clinicians Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline (PEPline)
Hotline providing clinicians with 24-hour guidance on managing occupational exposures to HIV, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne pathogens
Page last modified: October 1, 2008
Content source:
Division of Viral Hepatitis
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Word file link - requires Microsoft Word™ or 
Excel file link - requires Microsoft Excel™ or
Link to State/Local government sites