Control of hepatitis B infection. The role of surveillance and an isolation hemodialysis center.
A 3 1/4-year study assessed intervention approaches for hemodialysis-associated hepatitis. A 12-month retrospective study was followed by one year of prospective surveillance (during which attention to hygienic techniques was encouraged) and then by a 15-month period during which antigen-positive cases were transferred from study centers to an isolation hemodialysis center (IHL). The incidence of hepatitis B infection (HBI) fell 35.9% in study centers during surveillance; this was followed by a 50.0% drop during the IHC phase. The total 67.9% drop during the entire study period was statistically highly significant; the IHC contributed significantly more to the total drop than did surveillance alone. At comparison units, HBI increased 97.9% during the same period. This study indicates that HBI incidence can be markedly reduced by a combination of surveillance and assignment of antigen-positive patients to a separate dialysis unit.
D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D009515:New Jersey; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010356:Patient Isolation; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens