Preventing cross infection of blood borne viruses on haemodialysis

A chronic haemodialysis patient acquired hepatitis C. It was thought certain that this had occurred while dialysing in a satellite dialysis unit. The incident initiated a review of current measures in place to prevent the transmission of blood-borne viruses (BBV) on haemodialysis, with an analysis of current literature on the topic. It was found that the author's unit and several additional local units had no written protocols on prevention of BBV during haemodialysis, and methods of prevention were largely verbally communicated. A review of the literature gave conflicting opinions on the effectiveness of different measures to prevent cross-infection. Following the assessments and literature review, the appropriateness of certain preventative measures was looked at in more detail. A local protocol was subsequently developed and implemented at the author's Trust, which will significantly change practice in the haemodialysis unit.