Current practice in preventing blood-borne diseases during organ/tissue transplantation in Hong Kong

Scientific Committee of the Advisory Council on AIDS and the Hong Kong Society of Transplantation
5/F Yaumatei Jockey Club Clinic, 145 Battery Street, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong

A questionnaire survey was conducted in late September 1996 to study the current practice in preventing blood-borne diseases during organ/tissue transplantation at local institutions. Twenty-five (83%) of 30 public transplantation institutions responded. Kidney and cornea/sclera transplantations were the most commonly practised procedures. Some institutions performed bone, skin, liver, heart and lung, and bone marrow transplantations. A variety of measures have been taken by most of the institutions to uphold safety during transplantation. Nevertheless, a lack of protocol standardisation and inadequate awareness to communicable diseases during transplantation are apparent. The establishment of local guidelines and the implementation of an effective monitoring mechanism might minimise the transmission risk of communicable diseases that are associated with transplantation.

Hong Kong Med J 1998;4:361-6

Key words: Blood-borne pathogens; Organ transplantation; Risk; Virus diseases/prevention & control