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What are the costs and benefits of patient notification exercises following poor infection control practices in dentistry?

Close, R. M.; Gray, S.; Close, Rebecca; Gray, Selena; Bennett, S.; Appleby, S.; Khan, F.; Payne, C.; Oliver, I.

Authors

R. M. Close

S. Gray

Rebecca Close

S. Bennett

S. Appleby

F. Khan

C. Payne

I. Oliver



Abstract

Background: Allegations of serious failures in infection control practice were made against a dentist practicing in the South West of England. The dentist (who tested negative for Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs)) was immediately suspended. Methods: Because inadequate infection control presents a potential risk of transmitting BBVs between patients, a notification exercise was undertaken. Of 7625 patients contacted, 2780 (37%) were tested. Results: Nine cases of Hepatitis B (HBV) and four cases of Hepatitis C (HCV) were identified, of which seven were previously diagnosed. None of these were children. All of the six newly diagnosed cases had recognized risk factors for BBVs. The costs of the notification exercise were estimated at £311,500 of which £165,000 was staff costs, (£51,916 per newly diagnosed case). Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate any patient-to-patient transmission of blood-borne viruses but the response rate was relatively low. There are significant costs associated with undertaking notification exercises. These findings should inform future recommendations and practice in this area. © 2013 The Royal Society for Public Health.

Citation

Gray, S., Close, R. M., Close, R., Gray, S., Bennett, S., Appleby, S., …Oliver, I. (2013). What are the costs and benefits of patient notification exercises following poor infection control practices in dentistry?. Public Health, 127(11), 1021-1027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2013.04.029

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 1, 2013
Journal Public Health
Print ISSN 0033-3506
Electronic ISSN 1476-5616
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 127
Issue 11
Pages 1021-1027
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2013.04.029
Keywords economic evaluation, notification exercise, look back, blood borne viruses, BBV
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/926227
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2013.04.029
Additional Information Additional Information : Available online 20 July 2013