The prevention of transmission of blood-borne diseases in the health-care setting.

In this report, previous guidelines for health-care workers undertaking exposure-prone procedures (EPPs) has been significantly revised. Viruses identified as risks for transmission include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. This document looks at risk management, infection control policies and hepatitis B vaccination of health-care workers. The Code of Practice looks at patient-to-patient infection, as well as transmission from patient to health-care worker and transmission from equipment. Screening for hepatitis C is recommended and the screening of health-care workers for HIV, while undersirable, is being kept under review. There are recommendations, policy and procedures outlined in this document which also looks at retraining and redeployment