[MCOH-EH] Should pregnant health care workers be restricted from caring for patients with active Shingles?

[Michael A. Sauri, MD, MPH&TM, FACP, FACPM]

Craig,

The majority of Hospital Infection Control Varicella Prevention policies are
based on the 2007 MMWR ACIP's Recommendations for the Prevention of
Varicella (MMWR Vol 56, 6-22-07, RR04, 1-40).   Most OB-Gyne will serosurvey
their pregnant patient for evidence of immunity to Varicella in the
peri-natal period.  Most hospitals will require a Varicella titer on their
new hire HCWs as a means to document their immunity prior to working with
patients.  In my hospital, it is their policy that any HCW (including
pregnant HCW) without documented immunity be reassigned away from Varicella
patients and active Shingles patients.  If a pregnant HCW with no
documentation of immunity has already been exposed, they are referred to
their OB-Gyne for counselling, to validate their susceptibility to
varicella, and for consideration for the administration of VariZIG or VZIG.
Information on VariZIG (which is replacing VZIG) can be found in MMWR
3-3-2006 and MMWR 7-19-13.   Since varicella vaccine is not 100% protective,
the ACIP (2007) also recommends that the exposed HCW's with documented
immunity monitor themselves for any evidence of varicella infection for 21
weeks (28 days if they received VariZIG or VZIG) following an exposure and
report this to Infection Control in their Healthcare facility (ACIP 2007).
I hope this is helpful.

 

Best wishes,

Michael

 

Michael  A. Sauri, MD, MPH&TM, FACP,

FACPM, FACOEM, FRSTM&H, CTropMed

Medical Director

Occupational Health Consultants

15005 Shady Grove Road, Suite 450

Rockville, MD 20850

301-738-6420

Fax 301-738-2215

 <mailto:msauri at ohcmd.com> msauri at ohcmd.com

 <http://www.ohcmd.com> www.ohcmd.com

 

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Craig Thorne
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 10:18 AM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Should pregnant health care workers be restricted from
caring for patients with active Shingles?

 

Everyone, a question came up today from one of our nursing homes that I
could use your help with, if you have a reference:

 

Should pregnant health care workers be restricted from caring for patients
with active Shingles?

 

Thank you.

 

Craig Thorne

 

Craig D. Thorne, M.D., MPH, MBA

Vice President and Medical Director 

Employee Health and Wellness

Erickson Living

813 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD. 21228-3679

443-257-0903 cell (preferred)

410-402-2224

410-469-3007 fax

 

http://www.ericksonliving.com

 

 

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