Prevention of Blood-borne Virus Transmission in Haemodialysis Units

GUIDELINES Screening Routine a. We recommend that all patients should be screened for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus prior to commencement of dialysis or when transferring from another dialysis facility. The serological screening panel should include serology for hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBc, antiHBs), and hepatitis C (anti-HCV) together with baseline liver function tests (1B). b. We recommend that patients be screened for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if they are identified as having risk factors for HIV acquisition or have serological evidence of either hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection (1B). c. We recommend that patients who are hepatitis B vaccinated with anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL have anti-HBs rechecked annually. For vaccine non-responders, with anti-HBs titres <10 mIU/mL, recheck HbsAg every six months (1C). d. We recommend more frequent testing (every three months) in dialysis units with highprevalence of hepatitis B (1C). e. We recommend that those who are seronegative for hepatitis C have anti-HCV rechecked every six months. (1C).