AIDS Infection Control Precautions

Abstract

This article sets forth guidelines for health care workers and hospital administrators on the control of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection. It is stressed that contact witth blood or bodily fluids by sexual or percutaneous exposure is necessary for transmission. For purposes of infection control, the definition of AIDS should include Kaposi's sarcoma or opportunistic infections without previous immunosuppresive disease or therapy, as well as suspected AIDS. There is no justification for isolating asymptomatic members of high-risk groups. Although special wards for AIDS patients are not necessary from an infection control viewpoint, they may be beneficial in ensuring intensive staff education and providing psychological support for patients. AIDS patients should not share rooms with other immunosuppressed patients, and hospital workers who are pregnant or themselves immunosuppressed should not provide direct patient care for AIDS victims because of concern about cytomegalovirus and other opportunistic infection transmission. Handwashing after patient or body fluid contact is extremely important, and all specimens should be clearly labeled as infectious. Hospital staff who sustain needle stick injuries or mucous membrane exposures to blood or body fluids of AIDS patients should report to the employee health service. Hepatitis prophylaxis should be given if appropriate. Very few cases of AIDS have occurred in health care workers without other risk factors. The epidemiologic data suggest that preventing percutaneous or mucous membrane exposure to blood or body fluids provides adequate protection against the transmission of AIDS in health care settings. Patients with AIDS should not be subjected to isolation procedures that have no scientific basis. Basic is a high level of employee education regarding AIDS and its modes of transmission.