Hepatitis B in a medical center
Hansen, J.P.; Falconer, J.A.; Hamilton, J.D.; Herpok, F.J.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association 23(5): 338-342
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0096-1736 PMID: 7241246 Document Number: 170570
The Employee Health Service of Duke University [Durham, North Carolina, USA] has evaluated all employees with known blood product exposures through a standardized protocol since Jan. 1977. All known cases of hepatitis B among employees were also evaluated. During the 40-mo. period of this report, 1235 substantiated blood product or body fluid exposures occurred. The blood involved in 155 of the exposures was positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Of the 155 employees involved in these exposures, 101 were nonimmune to hepatitis B and were followed for at least 9 mo. after exposure. Three (3.0%) developed clinical hepatitis B. An additional 24 employees also developed hepatitis B during this 40-mo. period, a cumulative incidence of 106.0/100,000 employee-yr. Hepatitis B appears to be a significant occupational hazard for hospital personnel in a tertiary medical center.