Preventing Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus From Surgeons to Patients

Abstract

Isolated episodes of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from infected healthcare providers to patients in healthcare settings have been reported. Most HBV transmission have occurred during invasive surgical or obstetric procedures. In general, three conditions are necessary for transmission of blood-borne viruses from healthcare personnel to patients: (1) the healthcare provider must be infected and have the virus circulating in the bloodstream; (2) the healthcare provider must be injured or have a condition that provides some other source of direct exposure to infected blood or body fluids; and (3) the injury mechanism or condition must present an opportunity for the healthcare provider's blood to directly contact a patient's mucous membranes, wound, or traumatized tissue (recontact).