Hepatitis B and the theatre nurse.

On 1st July 1995, an important change was made in DOH policy which affects all staff employed in the operating theatre. It was from this date that staff were required to declare their hepatitis B status. As workers who undertake exposure prone procedures (EPP workers), theatre staff are required to be immunised against this disease and to have their vaccination dates and immunity recorded by their employer's Occupational Health Department. Job applicants will not be offered a post unless they can provide proof of immunisation. This important change has been in force for medical EPP workers since July 1994. Other staff are also recommended to have been immunised against hepatitis B although failure to do so should not preclude them from employment in non-EPP areas. This means that any person working in the operating theatre will be required to prove that he or she: has been successfully immunised has attempted immunisation but failed to respond is not a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (i.e. that they are surface antigen negative) The document issued by the DOH1 states that: 'no-one involved in exposure prone procedures can refuse to be immunised or show that they are not infectious carriers of hepatitis B: refusers will not be allowed to continue EPP work' Non-responders to immunisation will be required to provide fresh blood tests every six months in order to prove their continuing non-carrier status.