Infected physicians and invasive procedures: National policy and legal reality

Recent reports of the transmission of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV fro m physicians to patients during invasive procedures have again raised the q uestion of whether physicians infected with bloodborne pathogens should per form invasive procedures that place patients at risk, and if so, under what conditions. Attempts to formulate a national policy on this subject must c onsider the competing interests of the patient's welfare versus the physici an's livelihood. A review of the legal aspects of this topic is provided to assist policy makers and to serve as a foundation for the recommended esta blishment of a multidisciplinary committee to develop a uniform national po licy. Both legal and medical realities call for the formulation of a clear policy to guide those who must make the decisions on this issue.