Final answer:
To reduce HBV transmission in health care settings, workers should be vaccinated, use protective barriers, practice good hand hygiene, properly sterilize medical equipment, and follow aseptic techniques during procedures. Disposable syringes and blood product testing are also vital, along with post-exposure treatments when necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transmission-based precautions are critical in health care settings to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like Hepatitis B virus (HBV). In a health-care setting, reducing HBV transmission can be achieved through a combination of strategies. First, health-care workers should be vaccinated against HBV. Despite the high efficacy of the vaccine, it's important to employ additional protective measures because not all individuals can be vaccinated, and no vaccine offers absolute protection. Using protective barriers such as gloves and face protection, practicing good hand hygiene with soap and water or using antiseptics, and properly sterilizing medical equipment with solutions like 10% bleach are essential.
It is also vital to use disposable syringes and needles, to test blood products before transfusions, and to maintain strict adherence to aseptic techniques during medical procedures. In the event of exposure to HBV, post-exposure treatments, including hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccination, should be administered according to established protocols.
Furthermore, all hospital staff must follow established protocols meticulously to prevent equipment and surface contamination. This involves the careful sterilization and disinfection of all items coming into contact with infected individuals and practicing stringent hand hygiene.