Healthcare Workers with Bloodborne Viruses
Healthcare workers known to be infected with a bloodborne virus (BBV) may require supervision of and support for, their professional activity in relation to performing exposure-prone procedures (EPPs), any physical or psychological impairment, and opportunities for re-training.
All residents and healthcare workers have the right to protection from healthcare-acquired infections, including limiting exposure to the risk of BBV transmission via sharps injury and/or exposure to body fluids, secretions, and excretions
All healthcare workers should have access to timely testing, counselling, and treatment if such an injury occurs
All healthcare workers, including trainee and student healthcare workers, involved in EPPs have a professional and ethical responsibility to be voluntarily tested for BBVs immediately after potential acute exposure to a situation where disease may be acquired
While the protection of public health is paramount, employers of healthcare workers must also consider relevant anti-discrimination, privacy, industrial relations, and equal opportunity legislation in discharging their duty of care to both residents and employees. Employers must ensure that the status and rights of infected healthcare workers as employees are safeguarded.
For more information, refer to Australian National Guidelines for the Management of Healthcare Workers Known to be Infected with Blood-Borne Viruses.