HEPATITIS-B IMMUNIZATION IN UK RENAL UNITS - FAILURE TO PUT POLICY INTO PRACTICE

A postal questionnaire survey of renal units, and an analytical study of surveillance data on acute hepatitis B were undertaken to discover the numbers of renal units (a) routinely immunizing staff and patients against hepatitis B and (b) with recent experience of managing patien ts with hepatitis B. Seventy-three (86%) of 85 units returned complete d questionnaires. Most (63, 84%) of the responding units routinely imm unized staff but only 4 (5%) routinely immunized patients. A third (25 ) of the units had treated at least one HBsAg-positive patient between 1987 and 1991, and 11 units had cared for at least one patient with a cute hepatitis B. Units with recent experience of treating an HBsAg-po sitive patient were no more likely to immunize staff or patients than those without. Guidance on hepatitis B immunization of staff has gener ally been implemented by UK renal units; that on immunization of patie nts has not. Renal unit patients remain largely susceptible to hepatit is B and the potential for outbreaks remains. Renal units need further encourgement to implement fully guidance on immunization.