Implementation of the hepatitis C guidelines in UK health care workers

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy implementation
• Occupational health
• Infectious disease surveillance

Background:

• UK Health Department circular HSC 2002/010 mandated hepatitis C testing for specific healthcare workers (HCWs) without additional funding.
• The consistency of guideline implementation across healthcare employers was largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To audit the implementation process, completeness, and challenges of HSC 2002/010 in London and Southeast England acute and ambulance trusts.
• To assess compliance with national guidelines for hepatitis C screening.

Main Methods:

• A telephone questionnaire survey was conducted with 51 National Health Service (NHS) trusts.
• Data collection occurred between July and October 2005.

Main Results:

• A 92% response rate was achieved (47/51 trusts).
• Eighty-five percent (40/47) of trusts reported partial or full implementation of the hepatitis C testing guidance.
• While compliant trusts tested HCWs in exposure-prone specialties, 40% tested more staff than specified.

Conclusions:

• 85% of audited trusts reported implementing the hepatitis C testing guidance three years post-publication.
• 90% of trusts claimed no additional funding was required for implementation.
• Improved clarity on testing criteria, frequency, and enhanced HCW awareness of hepatitis C are recommended for better implementation.