28 Feb One Case Of Hepatitis C Transmitted From Shared Kidney Perfusion Machine
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Gwen Borlaug, CIC, MPH
Coordinator, HAI Prevention Program
Wisconsin Division of Public Health
Madison, WI 53702
MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Healthcare-associated transmission of blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis C and B viruses is previously documented.
A single incident of HCV transmission likely occurred in an operating room where two kidneys were attached to the same perfusion machine at the same time, the two kidneys and the perfusion machine were shared between two operating rooms when patients were present in each operating room, and the two kidneys housed in the same perfusion machine were ultimately transplanted into two different recipients.
No additional healthcare-associated cases of hepatitis C virus transmission were identified among patients receiving hospital care at the same time and in the same locations as these transplant patients.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: Observing basic infection control practices is paramount to preventing transmission of blood borne pathogens in the healthcare setting. Healthcare personnel should ensure strict adherence to protocols for cleaning and disinfecting used medical equipment and for safe injection practices.
Citation:
MMWR Weekly February 27, 2015 / 64(07);165-17
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Gwen Borlaug, CIC, MPH (2015). One Case Of Hepatitis C Transmitted From Shared Kidney Perfusion Machine
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Last Updated on March 1, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD