title: Hepatitis B immunization in UK renal units: failure to put policy into practice.
abstract: A postal questionnaire survey of renal units, and an analytical study of surveillance data on acute hepatitis B were undertaken to discover the numbers of renal units (a) routinely immunizing staff and patients against hepatitis B and (b) with recent experience of managing patients with hepatitis B. Seventy-three (86%) of 85 units returned completed questionnaires. Most (63, 84%) of the responding units routinely immunized staff but only 4 (5%) routinely immunized patients. A third (25) of the units had treated at least one HBsAg-positive patient between 1987 and 1991, and 11 units had cared for at least one patient with acute hepatitis B. Units with recent experience of treating an HBsAg-positive patient were no more likely to immunize staff or patients than those without. Guidance on hepatitis B immunization of staff has generally been implemented by UK renal units; that on immunization of patients has not. Renal unit patients remain largely susceptible to hepatitis B and the potential for outbreaks remains. Renal units need further encouragement to implement fully guidance on immunization.
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, UK.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Jibani
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heptonstall
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Bloodworth
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines