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The Prevention of
Blood-Borne Diseases
Over the past three years the Health Unit has been involved in various strategies to
prevent the transmission of blood borne disease. Hospital emergency departments and
all physicians have received a copy of the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Guidelines
for Managing Exposures to Blood Borne Pathogens. The purpose of this document is to
provide healthcare providers with information on the assessment and management of
persons with accidental exposures to blood and body fluids that may be infected with
hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV).
Harm reduction is a realistic and humane approach to reducing the individual and
social harms associated with drug use. It seeks to lessen the problems associated
with drug use through tactics that safeguard the community and the dignity and
health of people who use drugs.
A Health Education Resource Manual was created and distributed to all Emergency
Service Agencies and staff training was offered. The final strategy is to provide a
Needle Exchange Program. NEPs reduce the transmission rates of Hepatitis B and C,
HIV and other blood borne pathogens. The number of people testing positive for
Hepatitis C (an indicator of intravenous drug use) in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark is
steadily increasing. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Mandatory Health
Programs and Services Guidelines mandate the Health Unit to ensure that injection
drug users have access to sterile injection equipment, counselling, education and
referral to primary health services. The majority of Health Units across the
province are already offering this service as a harm reduction strategy in their
communities.
Part of the initial needs assessment included a survey of local pharmacists in
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark to determine if they have had requests from injection
drug users for sterile needles and syringes. Results indicated that 79% of
pharmacists reported they had requests for needles and syringes from injection drug
users in the previous 12-month period. Public awareness strategies including
information in regards to harm reduction and needle exchange will appear in the
local media during the early phase of implementation. The first Harm Reduction Task
Force th meeting was on November 4 , 2003 to consult with community partners in
regards to the implementation process of the new program. |
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Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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