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| Hep C Infected Health Care Worker Policy |
| Written by Occupational Health Nurse Consultant | ||||
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Health care workers (HCW’s) who already know themselves to be infected with hepatitis C, i.e. who have antibodies to hepatitis C virus and who carry out exposure prone procedures (EPP’s), should be tested for hepatitis C virus RNA. Those found to be carrying the virus will not be allowed to perform EPP’s. Hepatitis C infected HCW’s who have responded successfully to treatment with antiviral therapy i.e. remain hepatitis C virus RNA negative 6 months after cessation of treatment, may be allowed to resume EPP’s. As a further check, they should be tested again in 6 months for hepatitis C virus RNA. EPP’s are defined by DH as ‘those invasive procedures where there is a risk that injury to the worker may result in the exposure of the patient’s open tissues to the blood of the worker. These include procedures where the worker’s gloved hands may be in contact with sharp instruments, needle tips or sharp tissues ( e.g. spicules of bone or teeth) inside a patient’s open body cavity, wound or confined anatomical space where the hands or fingertips may not be completely visible at all times’. HCW’s who are intending to undertake professional training for a career that relies on performing EPP’s should be tested for antibodies to hepatitis C virus, and if positive, to then be tested for hepatitis C virus RNA. Those found to be Hepatitis C RNA positive will be restricted from starting training whilst they are carrying the virus.
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 June 2011 13:23 ) |
