1. Short summary / abstract
The paper summarises the views of the PHLS Hepatitis Subcommittee on prophylaxis after exposure to known and potential sources of hepatitis B virus (HBV) at work and in the community and expands on the guidance on hepatitis B immunisation and the prevention of occupational exposure to blood outlined in other BBV documents.
The paper provides information on: -
· The risk of HBV transmission according to type of exposure, status of source and the HBV status of the person exposed
o Significant exposure - percutaneous, mucocutaneous and sexual exposure
o HBV status of source – known, determinable or unknown and undeterminable
o HBV status of the exposed person
· Incident reporting in the workplace
· Incident recording and risk assessment
· Serological testing and storage of serum
· Post exposure prophylaxis after type of exposure determined
· Follow-up of exposed persons
· Supplies of HBIG
The information included in the above sections gives guidance on incident recording, risk assessment, testing and storage of incident-related blood specimens and follow up.
2. What question is the document addressing?
The paper gives guidance on the risk of hepatitis B transmission associated with an exposure incident and includes information on incident recording, risk assessment, post exposure prophylaxis, testing and storage of incident-related blood specimens and follow up.
3. Type of study
Best Practice, Journal Article
4. Methods valid & appropriate?
Yes
Comments:
Should be read in conjunction with references on post exposure prophylaxis for HIV
5. Results / recommendations reliable?
Yes
6. Any major problems and biases?
Paper 13 years old but recommendations still relevant and should be read with HSC 1998/063: Guidance for clinical health care workers - protection against infection with blood-borne viruses
7. Any other important / relevant studies which confirm or contradict?
1. Hepatitis B key documents http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/HepatitisB/HepatitisBGeneralInformation/fs/en
2. Guidance for clinical health care workers: protection against infection with blood-borne viruses http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4002766&chk=sjOK8W
3. Health Service Circular (HSC) 1998/063: Guidance for clinical health care workers – protection against infection with blood-borne viruses http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/LettersAndCirculars/HealthServiceCirculars/HealthServiceCircularsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4003818&chk=NzClJx
4. HIV Infected Health Care Workers: guidance on management and patient notification. Department of Health http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4116415&chk=grcFbM
5. Health Clearance for Serious Communicable Diseases new health care workers draft guidance for consultation Department of health (2003) http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4009668&chk=rvQlg1
6. HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis: Guidance from the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ Expert Group on AIDS http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4083638&chk=qtPweH
7. Hepatitis C key documents http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/HepatitisC/HepatitisCGeneralInformation/fs/en
HIV key documents http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/HIV/HIVGeneralInformation/fs/en
8. Keywords
hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis immunisation exposure incident
Reviewer's Details:
| Name: | Sue Wiseman |
| Post: | Nurse Consultant –Infection Control, DH |
Affiliations
(Society / Organisation / Advisory Committee): | Member Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
Health Protection Adviser Royal College of Nursing P/T
Member Infection Control Nurses Association |
*** Note: These are the views of a professional expert rather than an official statement from his or her society, organisation or advisory committee.