Good Practice Guidelines for Renal Dialysis/Transplant Units: Prevention and Control of Blood-Borne Virus Infection

The guidance contains recommendation, primarily for renal haemodialysis units, from a Public Health Laboratory Service (Now HPA) Working Group. The recommendations are largely precautionary and designed to maintain the good record of dialysis units and renal transplantation units in the UK in preventing the transmission of BBV infection. They advocate strict observance of universal precautions to minimise the risk of BBV transmission in renal units with adequate space, staffing and vigilance by staff and local risk assessment to determine any further measures that may be necessary but including isolation and/or segregation of patients with BBV’s during dialysis. The guidance includes sections on: - · Potential viral hazards in dialysis units · Survey of practice in UK dialysis units · Health and safety requirements and principles of clinical governance · Immunisation against hepatitis B · Testing patients for BBV infection · Routine precautions against BBV infection · Management of BBV infected patients · Equipment and prevention of BBV transmission · Occupational health and staff fitness to work in dialysis units · Analysis of results of survey of renal units and developments since the report of the Rosenheim Advisory Group Although the guidance is applies primarily to renal dialysis units there are aspects that will also apply to other units such as wards in which haemodialysis is undertaken including intensive therapy units.