CDC Warns Of HCV Transmissions In Dialysis Clinics
With an increased number of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmissions between 2014 and 2015, the CDC is urging all hemodialysis facilities to evaluate their procedures against CDC guidelines.
Within the span of a year, 36 cases of HCV were reported in 19 hemodialysis clinics across 8 states. CDC has found that transmission between patients was the cause of infection at 9 of these facilities.
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To eliminate cross-infecting patients, CDC has made recommendations for hemodialysis facilities:
- Assess current infection control, environmental cleaning, and disinfection practices to ensure adherence to infection control standards
- Address any gaps identified
- Screen patients for HCV to detect infections and halt secondary transmission
- Report all acute HCV infections to the state or local health department.
The CDC also lists additional resources for hemodialysis facilities—such as guidelines, testing sequences, and prevention tools—and for patients, including frequently asked questions about HCV and dialysis safety.
--Amanda Balbi
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC urging dialysis providers and facilities to assess and improve infection control practices to stop hepatitis c virus transmission in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Published online January 27, 2016. http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00386.asp.