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The findings from an audit made by 15 National Health Service occupational health departments in the Wessex and Oxford regions of England were reported. Important differences in practice concerning immunization against hepatitis-B virus (HBV) and the follow up of contamination incidents involving HBV or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were shown. A total of 1,102 incidents were reported, including 115 in doctors, 697 in nurses, and 106 in ancillary workers. By department, the rates ranged from 9 to 44 incidents per 1,000 staff members per year, with community units tending to have lower rates than acute units. The proportion of injured staff members who were naturally immune or had completed a full course of vaccination against HBV ranged from 57 to 83%. The main shortfall occurred in ancillary workers, 52% of whom had not been immunized, but 18% of doctors and 22% of nurses had also failed to complete full courses of vaccination. Reported rates of HIV counseling for injured employees ranged from zero to 94%. Several changes regarding immunization and incident notification among health care workers were recommended.
Occupational Medicine, 45(5):273-275, 1995. (7 references)
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