title: Hepatitis B vaccine uptake among surgeons at a London teaching hospital: how well are we doing?
abstract: In order to determine the perceptions of surgical staff of the risks of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its prevention through vaccination, and to assess frequency of 'sharps' injuries and compliance with the Department of Health (DoH) recommendations on vaccination, a questionnaire was distributed to surgical staff in the Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust. Only 52 of the 88 surgeons who responded (59%) had documented vaccine-induced immunity to HBV. Eighty-five (97%) had received at least one dose of vaccine but 15 of these (18%) had failed to complete the course. Of the 70 surgeons completing the course, only 56 (80%) had had their immune responses checked and only 44 (63%) admitted sustaining a 'sharps' injury at least once a month, yet only 17% consistently reported these injuries. Those least likely to report were cardiothoracic and obstetric and gynaecology surgeons; these specialties also sustained the highest frequency of 'sharps' injuries. Ophthalmologists, who sustained the lowest rate of injury, were most likely to report. In conclusion, a significant number of surgeons appeared not to have completed a course of hepatitis B vaccine in the presence of a high frequency of 'sharps' injuries. Following the publication of DoH guidelines on protecting workers from HBV, it must be stressed that failure to comply with recommendations may have medicolegal implications.
authors.affiliation: United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, London.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Banatvala
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tilzey
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D013502:General Surgery; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008511:Medicine; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013038:Specialization; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines