title: European study on epidemiology and the management of HCV in the haemodialysis population--Part 1: centre policy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Padua University Hospital, Italy. zampieron@eudoramail.com
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zampieron
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jayasekera
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elseviers
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindley
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: De Vos
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harrington
mesh_terms: 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*