Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-18T16:45:36.950Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Hepatitis C Virus Transmission in Hemodialysis Units Importance of Infection Control Practices and Aseptic Technique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Nicola D. Thompson ,
Ryan T. Novak ,
Deblina Datta ,
Susanne Cotter ,
Matthew J. Arduino ,
Priti R. Patel ,
Ian T. Williams  and
Stephanie R. Bialek
Nicola D. Thompson*
Affiliation:
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Ryan T. Novak
Affiliation:
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Deblina Datta
Affiliation:
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Susanne Cotter
Affiliation:
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Matthew J. Arduino
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Priti R. Patel
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Ian T. Williams
Affiliation:
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Stephanie R. Bialek
Affiliation:
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
*
1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mail Stop G-37, Atlanta, GA 30333 (ndthompson@cdc.gov)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We investigated 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection outbreaks at hemodialysis units to identify practices associated with transmission. Apparent failures to follow recommended infection control precautions resulted in patient-to-patient HCV transmission, through cross-contamination of the environment or intravenous medication vials. Fastidious attention to aseptic technique and infection control precautions are essential to prevent HCV transmission.

Type
Concise Communication
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 30 , Issue 9 , September 2009 , pp. 900 - 903
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Finelli, L, Miller, JT, Tokars, JI, Alter, MJ, Ardunio, MJ. National surveillance of dialysis-associated diseases in the United States, 2002. Semin Dial 2005;18:52–61.Google Scholar
2.Simmonds, P, Holmes, EC, Cha, TA, et al.Classification of hepatitis C virus into six major genotypes and a series of subtypes by phylogenetic analysis of the NS-5 region. J Gen Virol 1993;74:2391–2399.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Tugwell, BD, Patel, PR, Williams, IT, et al.Transmission of hepatitis C virus to several organ and tissue recipients from an antibody-negative donor. Ann Intern Med 2005;143:648–655.Google Scholar
4.Henderson, DK. Managing occupational risks for hepatitis C transmission in the health care setting, 2003. Clin Microbiol Rev 2003;16:546–568.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recommendations for preventing transmission of infections among chronic hemodialysis patients. MMWR Recomm Rep 2001;50(RR-5):1–43.Google Scholar
6.CDC. Transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses in outpatient settings: New York, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, 2000-2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2003;52:901–906.Google Scholar
7.Krause, G, Trepka, MJ, Whisenhunt, RS, et al.Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus associated with the use of multidose saline vials. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2003;24:122–127.Google Scholar
8.Alter, MJ. Healthcare should not be a vehicle for transmission of hepatitis C virus. J Hepatol 2008;48:2–4.Google Scholar
9.CDC. Infection control requirements for dialysis facilities and clarification regarding guidance on parenteral medication vials. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008;57:875–876.Google Scholar
10.Siegel, JD, Rhinehart, E, Jackson, M, Chiarello, L, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, 2007. Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings, June 2007. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_isolation.html. Accessed December 31, 2008.Google Scholar