Impact of the bloodborne pathogens standard on vaccination of healthcare workers with hepatitis B vaccine

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations on the vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs), to assess interpretation of these regulations, and to evaluate changes in hospital vaccination policies.

Design: Between June 1, 1992, and August 15, 1992, a telephone survey was conducted among 150 hospitals selected randomly from participants in the American Hospital Association 1991 annual survey.

Results: Of the 150 hospitals, 96 (64%) provided information on hepatitis B vaccination coverage of their employees. Of the 103,419 employees in these hospitals, 77,302 (75%) were eligible to receive the hepatitis B vaccine, and 38,850 (51%) of these were vaccinated completely (had received 3 doses of vaccine). Following issuance of the final regulations, 73% of hospitals reported greater employee acceptance of hepatitis B vaccine, and hospitals were more likely to offer hepatitis B vaccine to maintenance workers, security personnel, dietary staff, and clerical personnel. Seventy-five hospitals (50%) reported conducting postvaccination serologic testing on all hospital employees, 12 (8%) as a result of OSHA regulations. Twenty-three hospitals (16%) reported administering routine booster doses of hepatitis B vaccine at 3, 5, or 7 years.

Conclusions: The new OSHA standard resulted in a greater awareness of risk for HBV infection among HCWs and an increase in the number of HCWs receiving hepatitis B vaccine; however, vaccination coverage remained suboptimal. Postvaccination serologic testing of employees with negligible risk and the routine administration of vaccine booster doses may be diverting resources and preventing comprehensive coverage of high-risk employees.