Rubella exposure in an obstetric clinic.
Despite a massive national rubella immunization program, rubella infection remains a public health problem. When a nurse employed in a hospital-based obstetric clinic became ill with rubella, a crisis was precipitated. The hospital staff implemented a plan to inform the exposed 151 patients and 44 employees of the potential danger to themselves and their fetuses. To identify persons at risk, a program of rubella antibody testing of contacts was instituted. In 3 distinct attempts to obtain blood specimens, patient compliance rates fell progressively from 79 to 14%. One additional infected employee was detected. A list of recommendations designed to prevent or lessen the impact of future rubella exposures in hospitals is presented.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral