Document 0424
 DOCN  M9610424
 TI    Protecting patients when their surgeon or dentist is infected with a
       blood-borne virus.
 DT    9601
 AU    Schaffner W; Mishu-Allos B; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine,
       Nashville, TN 37232,; USA.
 SO    J Hosp Infect. 1995 Jun;30 Suppl:156-62. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96035341
 AB    The vast majority of surgeons and dentists infected with either
       hepatitis B or HIV do not transmit these infections to patients. When
       such transmission from health care provider to patients does occur, the
       precise mechanism of transmission usually remains enigmatic. Attempts to
       forestall these rare events have produced substantial debate as well as
       legislative and regulatory initiatives. The routine immunization of
       medical and dental students with hepatitis B vaccine will eventually
       eliminate surgeons and dentists as sources of this infection.
       Serological screening of surgeons and dentists for HIV infection has
       been considered impractical. Thus, emphasis has been placed on enhancing
       measures that reduce the risk of blood contact between health care
       provider and patient. These include developing safer techniques and
       procedures. When an infected surgeon or dentist is discovered, a review
       of their professional circumstances is undertaken. In the US many
       hepatitis B-infected persons are permitted to continue practice; most
       HIV-infected persons stop performing invasive procedures. Not completely
       reassured, some patients inquire of their dentist's or surgeon's HIV
       antibody status.
 DE    *Dentists  Disease Transmission, Horizontal  Disease Transmission,
       Professional-to-Patient/*PREVENTION &  CONTROL  Hepatitis B/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Hepatitis B Vaccines  Human  HIV
       Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  *Surgery  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).