Implementing a policy for practitioners infected with blood-borne pathogens.

Abstract

Healthcare practitioners infected with blood-borne pathogens may pose a risk to patients. There is disagreement about how to best protect the health of patients without unjustifiably restricting the autonomy of infected practitioners. There are no accepted national standards to guide Canadian hospitals in policy development. We implemented a policy for practitioners infected with blood-borne pathogens based on available scientific evidence and review of current practices. The policy was well-received by our physicians and dentists, and serves as a template for other organizations and hospitals tackling this issue.