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Prevention of Transmission of Blood Borne Pathogens
BACKGROUND
The
transmission of blood borne pathogens (HBV, HIV) has brought to the forefront
questions of testing, disclosure, and continued practice for health care
workers. Many professional organizations are preparing consensus statements
bearing on issues related to health care workers who are, or may be, infected by
the human immunodeficiency virus. AASCIN wishes to comment on this important
issue.
DEFINITIONS
HBV - Hepatitis B virus (previously
called serum hepatitis)
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency virus
HCW - Any professional person providing health care
Blood Borne Pathogen - Refers to blood or other
hazardous body fluids (those containing visible blood) that can transmit
pathogens.
POSITION
AASCIN continues to advocate the highest
quality of care for all patients and the protection of the civil and human
rights of all persons with HIV/HBV infection.
AASCIN supports the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) recommendations for Prevention of HIV and HBV transmission in health care
settings which emphasizes the need to treat blood and body fluids from all
patients as potentially infectious. This approach is referred to as universal
precautions.
Adherence to CDC guidelines on universal
precautions will minimize the risk of transmission of HBV, HIV, and other blood
borne pathogens.
Research data indicate that prevention of
transmission of HIV/HBV infection from health care workers is best accomplished
by strict adherence to infection control procedure and implementation of
universal precautions. Disclosure of HIV status does not in itself prevent the
transmission of blood borne infections.
(adopted 9/91)
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