[Could a health service worker with viral hepatitis be a danger to patients? An attempt to assess the problem in Poland]

Abstract

The paper presents current problems regarding the risk for viral hepatitis transmission to patients by health service workers infected with this disease. In Poland, the scientific assessment of this problem has not as yet been undertaken. Moreover, there is a lack of preventive measures and legal regulations in this area. In our country, the stay in a hospital is accompanied by a high risk of viral hepatitis infection (hospital infections make 60% of all HBV cases). In view of the HBV and HCV preventive programs carried out in many countries, the Polish specialists should turned attention to the virus carriers among health service workers. The authors propose to establish a legal framework aimed at reducing the risk of patient' infection with viral hepatitis by a health service worker. The experience of other countries presented in this paper may prove to be a useful guide in taking appropriate steps.