Aug 24 2010
Risk of Contracting HIV/AIDS During Dialysis
Everyone is potentially at risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). As HIV/AIDS is contracted through the exchange of body fluids, sterilization, disinfection and sanitation procedures at dialysis facilities are very important. The spread of HIV/AIDS can be prevented through careful adherence to guidelines for infection control known as universal blood and body fluid precautions that include the following for health care workers:
- Wear protective gear such as gloves, scrub suits, lab coats or aprons
- Wear gowns and protective eyewear and masks when blood splashes are likely
- Put on a fresh pair of gloves for each direct patient encounter
- Wash hands when entering the patient area, when starting or completing patient care, before leaving the work area and between patients
- Dispose of needles or other sharp instruments in purchase-resistant containers located close to dialysis area
- Never recap needles
Similar safety procedures are currently in use to control the spread of infection of Hepatitis B in dialysis units. The HIV/AIDS virus is spread much less readily than Hepatitis B in dialysis unites because the blood of a person infected with HIV/AIDS has fewer infectious viral particles than does the blood of someone with Hepatitis B. In addition, all blood donations are being screened for the HIV/AIDS antibody making any blood transfusion as safe as possible.