This SHEA white paper updates the 2010 SHEA guideline, following advances in interventions that reduce risk for occupational exposures and injuries, antiretroviral therapy that can now fully suppress HIV, and evidence of very low risk for transmission from HCP to patients (only 5 occurrences worldwide since 2010). This white paper provides recommendations regarding Category III/exposure-prone procedures. It details factors that contribute to the pathogenesis and transmission risk for HBV, HCV, and HIV, viral load thresholds for any restrictions on HCP practice, categorization of healthcare-associated procedures according to level of risk for bloodborne pathogen transmission, and responsibilities of healthcare organizations, including academic institutions, professional schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.
Authors: Henderson DK, Dembry L-M, Sifri CD, Palmore TN, Dellinger EP, Yokoe DS, Grady C, Heller T, Weber D, del Rio C, Fishman NO, Deloney VM, Lundstrom T, Babcock HM
