PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES - CAN WE BE TRUSTED TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES

Objective: To determine if pediatric emergency physicians (PEP) are fo llowing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CBC) recommendatio ns that all health care workers receive routine vaccines and annual tu berculosis screens, Design: A two-page mail survey with one follow-up mailing. Participants: All active members of the American Academy of P ediatrics (AAP), Section on Emergency Medicine, Additional inclusion c riteria were completion of training and employment in an emergency set ting. Results: Of 407 surveys, 286 (60%) were returned; 209 met inclus ion criteria, Proof of immunization was not required of 43% of PEP; 42 % mere not required to have an annual tuberculosis (TB) screen, PEP re ported immunity to the following: polio (95%), measles (94%), hepatiti s B (91%), rubella (90%), mumps (90%), varicella (90%), and diphtheria -tetanus (86%), However, only 72% received a TB screen, and 60% receiv ed an influenza vaccine within the past year, Proof of vaccination for employment was required by 57/85 hospitals, 47/79 universities, and 6 /32 self-employed/group practices (chi(2), P < 0.001), Proof of an ann ual TB screen was required by 64/87 hospitals, 44/82 universities, and 8/32 self-employed/group practices (chi(2), P < 0.001), PEP were more likely to have had a recent annual TB screen if required by their emp loyer (104/117) than if left to their own initiative (42/87) (chi(2), P < 0.001), Conclusions: Although PEP are well protected against most vaccine-preventable diseases, many are not receiving annual TB screens nor influenza vaccines, The CDC guidelines are not being routinely fo llowed by PEP.