The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a
new guideline to improve patient safety by reducing unexpected disease
transmission through organ transplantation. This guideline updates the
1994 U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) guideline for preventing
transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through organ
transplantation and adds guidance for reducing unexpected transmission
of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) through organ
transplants.
The 2013 PHS Guideline for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus,
Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Transmission through Organ
Transplantation, published in Public Health Reports, recommends the use
of more sensitive tests so that patients can be informed of risks to the
greatest extent possible and protected from unintentional infections
caused by transplanted organs.
Read more... Labels: Guidelines, safety, transmission and prevention, transplant