Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Health Care Workers

Health Care Workers that have occupational exposure to blood are at risk for HIV infection. Prevention of blood exposure, through safer practices, barrier precautions, safer needle devices, and other innovations, is the best way to prevent infection with HIV and other bloodborne pathogens.

Though these strategies have been successful in reducing the frequency of blood exposure and needlestick injuries in the past decade, the hazard has not been eliminated. As of December 2001, the CDC had received voluntary reports of 57 documented cases of HIV seroconversion temporally associated with occupational exposure to HIV among U.S. health care personnel. An additional 138 infections among health care personnel were considered possible cases of occupational transmission. Because there is no cure or effective vaccine for HIV, optimal post exposure care, including the administration of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection, remains a high priority in protecting health care workers.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult (at least 18 years of age)employees of HFH
• History of occupational exposure to bodily fluids
• Negative HIV test
• The ability to understand a written informed consent form, which must be obtained prior to initiation of any study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Positive pregnancy test
• Females who are breastfeeding
• History of renal disease
• Contraindication for treating patient with components of PEP regimen
• Greater than one dose of PEP medication for this exposure event