Hepatitis B vaccine uptake among surgeons at a London teaching hospital: how well are we doing?

In order to determine the perceptions of surgical staff of the risks of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its prevention through vaccination, and to assess frequency of 'sharps' injuries and compliance with the Department of Health (DoH) recommendations on vaccination, a questionnaire was distributed to surgical staff in the Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust. Only 52 of the 88 surgeons who responded (59%) had documented vaccine-induced immunity to HBV. Eighty-five (97%) had received at least one dose of vaccine but 15 of these (18%) had failed to complete the course. Of the 70 surgeons completing the course, only 56 (80%) had had their immune responses checked and only 44 (63%) admitted sustaining a 'sharps' injury at least once a month, yet only 17% consistently reported these injuries. Those least likely to report were cardiothoracic and obstetric and gynaecology surgeons; these specialties also sustained the highest frequency of 'sharps' injuries. Ophthalmologists, who sustained the lowest rate of injury, were most likely to report. In conclusion, a significant number of surgeons appeared not to have completed a course of hepatitis B vaccine in the presence of a high frequency of 'sharps' injuries. Following the publication of DoH guidelines on protecting workers from HBV, it must be stressed that failure to comply with recommendations may have medicolegal implications.