Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of screening emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedical personnel prior to administering hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B screening and Heptavax® vaccine were offered to 259 basic EMTs and paramedics. Of the 259 individuals, 62 refused screening, and six who had already recelved hepatitis B vaccine were excluded from the study. The screening was not continued after the results of the first 174 tests returned negative. All 191 participants were vaccinated. No hepatitis B surface antigen carriers and only three individuals positive for hepatitis B surface antibody were found among those screened. This study corroborates the Centers for Disease Control guidellnes of cost effectiveness in screening prehospital health care workers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 205-206 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | American Journal of Emergency Medicine |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1987 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Supported in part by St. Paul-Ramsey Foundation.
Keywords
- Hepatitis antibody
- hepatitis B vaccine
- hepatitis surface antigen