HIV infection: employee education and infection control measures

In order to allay employees' concerns surrounding HIV infection, agencies must develop a plan of action to include: 1. formal education of all employees. 2. use of purchased or "in house" developed videos. 3. instituting a centrally located reference file containing pertinent information. 4. considering holding an open forum for employees and their family of origin and/or attachment. 5. encouraging employees to attend local seminars, workshops. 6. professional assistance to aid in dealing with the emotional impact that may result from the increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. 7. written procedures to prevent accidental occupational exposure to the infection--either Universal Precautions or Body Substance Isolation. 8. possible administration of hepatitis B vaccine. 9. policy re HIV positive workers. 10. review of currently performed invasive procedures to assess alternate methods in order to further reduce potential for occupational exposure.