Seattle Dialysis Patients may be exposed to Hep B

[Rerun]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/06/18/at-least-650-dialysis-patients-at-seattle-hospital-possibly-exposed-to-hepatitis-b.html

SEATTLE –  A Seattle hospital says about 650 dialysis patients since 2011 might have been exposed to hepatitis B because of a lapse in screening procedures.

But the Virginia Mason Hospital and Medical Center and King County public health officials said Friday the risk of transmission is low.

Virginia Mason notified health officials in late May that staff had not been consistently screening and isolating patients, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The hospital urged patients to get tested for hepatitis B.

Dr. Jeff Duchin of Seattle and King County Public Health says an investigation by his agency found the hospital followed other steps, such as disinfecting equipment, to prevent infection.

He says officials found no evidence of increased of risk for acquiring blood-borne pathogen infections in the hospital's dialysis unit. The nonprofit Northwest Kidney Centers is contracted to provide dialysis at the hospital.


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[iolaire]

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/screening-lapse-at-virginia-mason-puts-some-dialysis-patients-at-risk/
The hospital notified Public Health officials in late May that staff had not been consistently screening patients for hepatitis B as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through that screening, if a patient is found to have hepatitis B, he or she receives treatment in a private room, away from other patients.

Most chronic kidney-dialysis patients are regularly screened for hepatitis B by their providers and will not need to take any special action, according to Dr. Jeff Duchin, county health officer.

Public Health’s investigation found Virginia Mason had been following other steps to prevent infections, such as disinfection, cleaning and use of protective equipment by staff.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, but it can also be present on environmental surfaces in the absence of any visible sign of contamination, according to the CDC. Blood-contaminated surfaces that are not routinely or thoroughly cleaned can harbor the virus.