Safety

Study: One-quarter of healthcare workers lack hepatitis B protection

OSHA Healthcare Connection, June 26, 2007

Of healthcare workers at risk for hepatitis B exposure, 75% have had the recommended three-dose hepatitis B vaccination series, according to an article appearing in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

The study found that vaccination rates were highest among physicians and nurses (81%); lower among phlebotomists (71.1%) and nurses' aides and/or other patient care staff (70.9%).

Also, white healthcare workers reported a higher incidence of vaccination (79.5%) than black healthcare workers (67.6%), according to the study.

The study concluded that U.S. healthcare facilities can do a better job identifying and educating unvaccinated workers who are at risk to hepatitis B exposures.

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