Hepatitis B in hospitals--immunize or screen?
The advent of vaccines against hepatitis B makes it necessary to re-examine the purpose of screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hospitals. Analysis of the 1982 record of specimens supplied by the Baragwanath and Johannesburg Hospitals shows that a reduction of up to 45% in the number of tests could be achieved by immunizing some staff and a few patients and by keeping better records. Similar situations could also apply to other diagnostic services.
D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D014765:Viral Vaccines