Consideration regarding infection during hospital employment.

Among the most important responsibilities of a hospital's employees' health service is the prevention or prompt identification of infectious illnesses among staff members. Infections constitute a major health hazard of hospital employment and, both intrinsically or as a consequence of subsequent transmission to hospitalized patients, can have devastating consequences. The risks associated with tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, rubella, herpes, meningococcal disease, and scabies are generally acknowledged and methods of control have been suggested. In addition, immunizations against diphtheria and influenza have been advised under certain circumstances. Respiratory syncytial virus and pertussis probably account for some upper respiratory tract illnesses among personnel and may lead to serious morbidity in pediatric patients. Laboratory-acquired infections can be diverse and exotic. Control measures should include surveillance, appropriate immunizations, epidemiologic investigation coordinated with infection control, antibiotic prophylaxis when indicated and environmental safeguards.