Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 33, Issue 2 , Pages 156-159, February 1999

Antibody Titers to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Among Vaccinated Emergency Physicians: Three Years’ Experience With a Wellness Booth☆☆☆★★★♢

From the Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical School, Los Angeles, CA* ; Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland Veterans Administration General Hospital, Portland, OR‡ ; Department of Emergency Medicine, Grace Hospital, Detroit, MI§; School of Business Administration, University of Colorado, Boulder, COII ; and Department of Business Administration, Fort HaysState University, Hays, KS.

Received 27 January 1998; received in revised form 14 August 1998 and 31 August 1998; accepted 18 September 1998.

Abstract 

Study Objective: To determine antibody titers to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg) among previously vaccinated emergency physicians and to assess the degree of compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) postvaccination guidelines. Methods: A descriptive analysis was performed of anti-HBsAg titer determinations and vaccination surveys among a self-selected group of emergency physicians attending the annual scientific assembly of the American College of Emergency Physicians in 1995, 1996, or 1997. Results: Of 943 participants, titer levels were found to be protective in 768 (81%), borderline in 45 (5%), and nonreactive in 130 (14%). A total of 337 participants (36%) had not obtained postvaccination titer determinations, as advised by the CDC. More than 50% reported an occupational exposure to blood products within the previous 2 years. Conclusion: Despite their high risk for exposure to blood products, many previously vaccinated emergency physicians were not in compliance with CDC postvaccination guidelines.

[Goldberg R, Thomas H, Kuhn G, Moradzadeh D, Mody T, Boss RW, Goodman E: Antibody titers to hepatitis B surface antigen among vaccinated emergency physicians: Three years’ experience with a wellness booth. Ann Emerg Med February 1999;33:156-159.]

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ Dr Thomas and Dr Kuhn are members of the Well-Being Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

☆☆ Supported in part by a grant from SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals.

★ Address for reprints: Richard Goldberg, MD, LAC/USC Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, 1200 North State Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033; 310-540-2939, fax 310-540-2939;E-mail: JANARD@earthlink.net.

★★ 0196-0644/99/$8.00 + 0

♢ 47/1/94882

PII: S0196-0644(99)70388-4

Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 33, Issue 2 , Pages 156-159, February 1999

Article Tools