❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses a potential HIV transmission incident at the Sir Charles Gardiner Oral Health Centre, inquiring about the department's response and preventative measures. The response balances transparency with privacy concerns.
AnsweredQoN 2075Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the fact that Mr Peter Kitchen from the Health Department contacted several patients at the Sir Charles Gardiner Oral Health Centre last Wednesday, 7 March to advise them that they may have contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through the clinic, and I ask -
(1) How many patients were contacted and given this advice?
(2) Has the department identified the source of the HIV virus?
(3) If yes, then who was the carrier of the virus and what was their position at the clinic?
(4) On what date was it determined that someone connected with the clinic was HIV positive?
(5) On what date were patients contacted and advised of this?
(6) What testing regime does the department have in place to screen employees for diseases such as HIV?
(7) Was the person in question ever a resident of a high risk country?
(8) Was the person in question ever tested for HIV?
(a) If not, why not?
(9) What action has the department now taken to guarantee that this issue will never arise again?
(10) Is the Minister aware that some patients were advised to seek help from the Health Department Communicable Diseases Unit, Health Direct and other Governmental organizations?
(11) Is the Minister aware that none of these organizations were available to assist with counselling or support afterhours and what explanation does the Minister have for this?
(1) How many patients were contacted and given this advice?
(2) Has the department identified the source of the HIV virus?
(3) If yes, then who was the carrier of the virus and what was their position at the clinic?
(4) On what date was it determined that someone connected with the clinic was HIV positive?
(5) On what date were patients contacted and advised of this?
(6) What testing regime does the department have in place to screen employees for diseases such as HIV?
(7) Was the person in question ever a resident of a high risk country?
(8) Was the person in question ever tested for HIV?
(a) If not, why not?
(9) What action has the department now taken to guarantee that this issue will never arise again?
(10) Is the Minister aware that some patients were advised to seek help from the Health Department Communicable Diseases Unit, Health Direct and other Governmental organizations?
(11) Is the Minister aware that none of these organizations were available to assist with counselling or support afterhours and what explanation does the Minister have for this?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 May 2007
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
48 days
2. Yes. 3. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 4. 16 February 2007. 5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
3. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 4. 16 February 2007. 5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
4. 16 February 2007. 5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
(a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
3. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 4. 16 February 2007. 5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
4. 16 February 2007. 5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
5. Registered mail letters were sent on the day that the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of the list of names, which was 7 March 2007. Telephone contact was attempted to all patients that evening. 6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
6. The policy of the DOH, and registration boards across Australia, is that people performing "exposure-prone procedures" (EPPs) in a health care setting, who engage in personal practices that may expose them to bloodborne viruses, have a requirement to know their own status and undergo regular testing. This is usually undertaken on a confidential basis through private sources. In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
In addition, standard infection control practices for surgical procedures, dental procedures and other clinical procedures, including a cessation of multiuse vials, emphatic adherence to the use of gloves and the use of sterile needles, largely prevent transmission, irrespective of the status of the health care worker. The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
The sensitivity of testing for HIV suffers from the long latency period between infection and demonstration of antibodies. People infected with HIV may not show evidence for three months. Therefore, a single negative blood test does not guarantee that a repeat test one week later would not be positive and the DOH is unable to use this as a management tool. In view of this, the DOH does not rely on ad hoc blood tests to prevent transmission of bloodborne viruses. 7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
7. The HIV infected individual has a right to privacy and to the confidentiality of their own medical record. The data custodians of the Western Australian Notifiable Diseases Register release no information that is potentially identifying. 8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
8. Yes. (a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
(a) Not applicable. 9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
9. The DOH holds discussions with registration boards, its own expert advisory group, and relevant professional bodies on a regular basis. The current policy, in conjunction with infection control practices, is protective of the public. No Australian jurisdiction mandates testing for HIV for any health care worker. 10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
10. Patients involved were directly contacted by staff from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate via letter or by telephone. Media was undertaken, as, in these investigations, a small number of people often prove difficult to access. While the DOH were directly accessing the people involved, it was understood that other people attending the Oral Health Centre might be concerned. Separate arrangements were made for these people to contact HealthDirect and nurse counsellors at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate. These were arrangements for the unaffected worried public and not the patients involved. 11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
11. HealthDirect is a 24-hour service. While no after hours counselling was made available for the unaffected worried well patients, most patients were contacted after hours and a dialogue maintained. This included the reporting of negative test results, which continued through the subsequent weekend.
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