Making the Point on Hepatitis B and C in Dialysis: Role of Patients' Isolation

Abstract

The present work tries to analyze the role of isolation in relation to the risks of infections' transmission in hospitalized hemodialysis patients. To better explain these issues, the author compares two articles published on the Italian Journal of Nephrology. The first is based on data and protocols issued by the main agency for the prevention of infections (the CDC) together with the well-known Universal and Special Precautions, suggesting supplementary measures such as the isolation of HBV-positive patients. The second paper states that the best precautionary measure to prevent infections' spreading is to constantly use all Standard and Special precautions, together with a continuous monitoring of the measures adopted and their results. Another criticism moved to the measure of patients' isolation is related to the incomplete protection provided by anti-HBs antibodies, as well as to the possible development of hidden infections. This discussion is very important since, during the actual shortening of economic resources, it could be crucial to avoid patients' isolation in dedicated areas of the hemodialysis units. If Universal and Special procedures are correctly applied, viruses will not be able to grow on any surface, allowing HBV-positive hemodialysis patients to share the same spaces with the other patients.