[The risk of bloodborne infections in health care workers and their patients: possible preventive steps].
Hospital-based bloodborne infections are generally limited to viruses; hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus. The risk of infection by an infected patient to the health care worker is substantial. All preventable actions should be taken, including 3 injections of vaccine for hepatitis B, serological confirmation of protection, and further treatment if necessary. Since no preventable risk to a patient is acceptable, policies need to be set on the fitness-for-work of the infected surgeon. This article reviews the risks of bloodborne infections and preventive measures.
Froom
P
P
National Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health Care, Raanana.
Ribak
J
J
Cohen
H
H
D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors