Prevention of hepatitis C in clinical practice.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is mainly a blood-borne pathogen. Ifs transmission in health care facilities has remained partly unexplained until now. Two modes of transmission have been suggested either through medical devices reused in invasive procedures and incorrectly cleaned or disinfected, or through accidental blood contacts generating a risk of contamination between health care workers and patients. Prevention of HCV transmission is based on the respect of standard precautions for all patients and all cares. These precautions need to be reinforced in facilities where patients are frequently exposed to invasive procedures, such as haemodialysis units, interventional radiology, surgery, intensive cares or transplant units. Specific disinfecting measures should be implemented according to material, including endoscope or dialysis generator: Health care workers protection against accidental blood exposure includes to avoid high risk tasks and to use protective material during cares or discarding cares waste (protective gowns and clothes, containers for sharp objects, etc). (C) 1999 Elsevier; Paris.