Vol. 566 No. 1
125 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if, while protecting patient confidentiality, the case of the health care worker diagnosed with hepatitis B was competently managed from a public health point of view; if all those with whom the professional had dealings were contacted; if they have since been tested or are being tested; and if a disease transmission has been identified. [11927/03]
The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases.
Every possible step is taken to protect both patients and health care practitioners from exposure to such dangerous infections. There is a standing advisory group on the prevention of transmission of blood borne disease in the health care setting. This group has published a number of reports setting out guidelines for the prevention of transmission of diseases such as hepatitis B in the health care setting. The group consists of medical experts in this particular field and the guidelines are based on the best available information and international best practice.
As technical advances are constantly being made and as our state of knowledge in relation to these threats to health is constantly being updated the standing advisory group meets regularly to consider updating and amending the guidelines. I am advised that a newly updated version of the guidelines will be available for publication shortly.
