Happy Friday colleagues,
I had a question asked of me regarding provider exposure to HPV. Do you provide HPV vaccination to workers that have potential occupational exposure to HPV? Do you use N95 when performing LEEPS in the clinic environment?
I have received the following from a provider from Up to Date:
Health care workers at risk for occupational exposure — There
is evidence that upper aerodigestive (nasal and oropharyngeal) HPV infection may be transmitted through exposure to HPV in vapors generated during surgical excision or ablation of HPV-associated lesions, although the magnitude of this risk is unknown [52]
(see "Human
papillomavirus infections: Epidemiology and disease associations", section on 'Epidemiology of oropharyngeal infection'). We agree with recommendations
from the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) that health care workers who may be routinely exposed to HPV in this way receive HPV vaccination. This recommendation includes health care providers and operating room and office staff
in the fields of gynecology, dermatology, and family practice. Insurance providers or other payers may not cover HPV vaccination for individuals older than 26 years, and this may affect the decision to vaccinate. (See 'Indications
and age range' above.)
As always, I thank you in advance for your responses.
Amelia Olson, BSN, MS, COHN-S
Director Occupational Health
Centura Health
9100 E. Mineral Circle
Centennial, CO 80112
303.673.7460
I’m on a mission to ensure the health and safety of every associate.