A service improvement report of blood-borne virus screening in a high secure mental hospital

Abstract

Background:Patients in a high secure hospital are a high-risk population for exposure to blood-borne viruses (BBV) because of previous lifestyles.Objective:This service improvement study intends to improve patients care by the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) coordinating the BBV screening and vaccination programme within the hospital.Methods:A retrospective review of patients? notes in 2007 and 2016 was used.Results:The results show an increase in screening offered and screening undertaken from 2007 to 2016. It also identifies an increase in hepatitis B vaccination programmes completed.Discussion:The expansion of the IPC and Physical Healthcare Team appear to be associated with the increase of screening and vaccination rates.