Management of occupational exposure to HIV--what actually happens

A year after the Department of Health issued guidelines on post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for health care workers exposed to HIV, we conducted a telephone survey of occupational health nurses and junior doctors in London teaching hospitals, to assess implementation of the guidelines and awareness among junior doctors of local policies. The management and administration of PEP for HIV differed considerably between hospitals. Many junior doctors did not know what to do in the event of a needlestick injury. Both the implementation of and the briefing of staff about current management policies need to improve.