European study on epidemiology and the management of HCV in the haemodialysis population--Part 1: centre policy.
Haemodialysis patients are known to be at risk of infection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) through nosocomial spread. This paper presents the first part of a study on epidemiology and management of HCV, in a haemodialysis population, conducted by the EDTNA/ERCA Research Board. Data on HCV management and infection control procedures was collected from 136 European centres using an electronic questionnaire. The study identifies a number of possible risk factors for transmission of the virus: failing to disinfect devices between patients, sharing of single-use vials to prepare drugs or infusions for different patients, inadequate sterilisation or cleaning of machines between dialysis sessions, unsatisfactory environmental cleaning and distance less than one metre between chairs.
Zampieron
Alessandra
A
Padua University Hospital, Italy. zampieron@eudoramail.com
Jayasekera
Heather
H
Elseviers
Monique
M
Lindley
Elizabeth
E
De Vos
Jean-Yves
JY
Visser
Ronald
R
Harrington
Maurice
M
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*