Why is Hep C. not considered to be a barrier isolation situation?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

It is my understanding that MRSA (and VRE I think) will often not even make a healthy person sick, but Hepatitis C is a serious threat to even a healthy individual with no effective vaccine available (and is easier to transmit than HIV). Yet "the wife" was discussing how she had a Hep C client today with open wounds, IV's and drains, but that wasn't an isolation client, and yet she had one with MRSA who was in isolation. What is the criteria and who makes the determination?

I agree with what others are saying about the isolation, etc. however another one of my concerns is the fact that pt. conditions are getting discussed with someone that's not even involved in the person's care. I don't care if names aren't used, that' s still a privacy issue, considering the name of the unit and facility are known..

sbic56, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

And, contrary to popular beliefs, the hepatitis C virus is harder to contract than the hep A and hep B virus. Universal precautions will adequately protect healthcare workers from contacting it.

That's a good point to clarify. Though Hep C needs to be respected, we need to keep it in perspective and realize that UP are generally all that is necessary.

Dinith88 · Dec 20, 2005

The spread of Hep C is prevented with standard measures. As long as the nurse isn't sharing needles, having sex with or rolling around in the patients' bloody wounds with open wounds herself it isn't a problem. Basically we only need to treat Hep C patients like we do everybody else.

Yes, this is true...but you forgot poop. As long as you keep the pt's poop off your hands...or at least wash them before you stick your fingers in your mouth. Blood...and poop. Regardless of the official 'isolation' status...no-one's gonna allow blood or poop to get on their own open wounds or in their mouth.

Hep C dies (after a short while) when exposed to the atmosphere...

MRSA and VRE can colonize the environment (your shoes, etc.) and is thus a bigger threat as far as being carried to other 'hosts'.

So..Hep-c...avoid blood, poop, and dont sex them up....you'll be fine.

Dinith88 · Dec 20, 2005

Yes, this is true...but you forgot poop. As long as you keep the pt's poop off your hands...or at least wash them before you stick your fingers in your mouth. Blood...and poop. Regardless of the official 'isolation' status...no-one's gonna allow blood or poop to get on their own open wounds or in their mouth.
Hep C dies (after a short while) when exposed to the atmosphere...
MRSA and VRE can colonize the environment (your shoes, etc.) and is thus a bigger threat as far as being carried to other 'hosts'.
So..Hep-c...avoid blood, poop, and dont sex them up....you'll be fine.

errr,..umm.. maybe it's hepA thats the poop-borne one. Regardless...dont put poopy fingers in your mouth.