Transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses in outpatient settings--New York, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, 2000-2002.
Transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can occur in health-care settings from percutaneous or mucosal exposures to blood or other body fluids from an infected patient or health-care worker. This report summarizes the investigation of four outbreaks of HBV and HCV infections that occurred in outpatient health-care settings. The investigation of each outbreak suggested that unsafe injection practices, primarily reuse of syringes and needles or contamination of multiple-dose medication vials, led to patient-to-patient transmission. To prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, all health-care workers should adhere to recommended standard precautions and fundamental infection-control principles, including safe injection practices and appropriate aseptic techniques.
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007267:Injections; D009329:Nebraska / Q000453:epidemiology; D009339:Needles; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D011331:Private Practice; D013594:Syringes