Journal of Hospital Infection
Volume 80, Issue 3 , Pages 265-268, March 2012

Blood-borne virus transmission in healthcare settings in Ireland: review of patient notification exercises 1997–2011

  • S. Donohue

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Address: HSE Department of Public Health, HSE South, Lacken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Ireland. Tel.: +353 56 7784162; fax: +353 56 7784 393.
    • ,
  • L. Thornton
    • ,
  • K. Kelleher

Health Service Executive, Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland

Received 5 September 2011; accepted 7 December 2011. published online 24 January 2012.

by J.A. Child

Summary 

A review of patient notification exercises (PNEs) carried out in Ireland between 1997 and 2011 to investigate potential exposure to blood-borne viruses (BBVs) in healthcare settings was undertaken to inform future policy and practice. A questionnaire was sent to key informants in the health services to identify all relevant PNEs. Structured interviews were conducted with key investigators, and available documentation was examined. Ten BBV-related PNEs were identified. Despite testing over 2000 patients, only one case of transmission was found. However, in-depth local investigations before undertaking the PNEs identified six cases of healthcare-associated transmission.

Keywords: Blood-borne viruses, Exposure, Healthcare, Transmission, Patient notification exercise

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PII: S0195-6701(12)00009-6

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2011.12.013

Journal of Hospital Infection
Volume 80, Issue 3 , Pages 265-268, March 2012

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