Hepatitis B and the theatre nurse

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Department of Health (DOH) implemented a policy change affecting operating theatre staff regarding hepatitis B status.
• Staff undertaking exposure-prone procedures (EPP) are classified as EPP workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To inform operating theatre staff about new DOH policy requirements for hepatitis B immunization and status declaration.
• To outline the implications for employment of staff who refuse immunization or are non-responders.

Main Methods:

• Policy review and dissemination of DOH guidelines.
• Requirement for staff to declare hepatitis B status, including immunization records and carrier status.
• Mandatory occupational health assessments for EPP workers.

Main Results:

• Effective July 1, 1995, all operating theatre staff must declare their hepatitis B status.
• Job applicants must provide proof of immunization; otherwise, they will not be offered a post.
• Staff refusing immunization or failing to demonstrate non-carrier status will be excluded from EPP work.

Conclusions:

• Compliance with hepatitis B immunization and status declaration is mandatory for operating theatre staff involved in EPP.
• Non-compliance can lead to exclusion from EPP duties and affect employment.
• Regular monitoring (every six months) is required for non-responders to immunization.