Prevention of nosocomial viral hepatitis, type B (hepatitis B)

Nosocomial viral hepatitis, type B, is assuming increasing importance in the United States. The keystone to an effective hepatitis control program is surveillance of patients and personnel, especially in high-risk areas, namely dialysis units, hematology-oncology units, and laboratories. Measures to control infection are outlined for specific areas of the hospital. Data currently available suggest that employees who have persisting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) need not be removed from their positions unless they have been proved to disseminate infection. Future investigations should include methods to study: [a] the mechanisms of nonpercutaneous spread of hepatitis B virus, [b] the role of the individual with persisting HBSAg in the dissemination of hepatitis B virus, [c] the efficacy of hepatitis B immune globulin in high-risk areas, and [d] the effectiveness of various chemical and physical procedures in use for inactivation of hepatitis B virus using animal model systems.