title: One-year study of occupational human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis.
abstract: A 12-month experience with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in a tertiary care center was evaluated for timeliness of treatment and adherence to treatment recommendations. Forty-six health care workers were started on HIV PEP. Risk status of the source patient, rather than type of exposure, was a significant determinant for both initiating and completing treatment. Of those exposed to HIV-positive sources, 79% completed the full 28 days of therapy. Only 22% of all health care workers who started PEP discontinued treatment because of adverse effects. Excluding three cases with significant delays in reporting and one in which treatment was controversial, the mean time from exposure to first dose of PEP was 1 hour and 46 minutes. The use of a defined treatment protocol, with supporting educational material and PEP medication immediately available, is an effective way of managing HIV exposures.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health & Safety Department, Baystate Health System, P5901, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199, USA.
authors.forename: James Robert
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Garb
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents