News
08/11/1992

<TITLE>INFECTION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS FOCUS OF GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE</TITLE>
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NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS                                Sharon Snider
August 11, 1992                                       (301) 443-3285

                                      
    Federal government scientists, healthcare professionals and medical       
device manufacturers will meet Aug. 17-19 in Washington, D.C., to discuss     
ways to prevent infection of healthcare workers from contaminated medical     
devices.
    "Frontline Healthcare Workers:  A National Conference on Prevention of    
Device-Mediated Bloodborne Infections" is being sponsored by the Food and     
Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and the Occupational     
Safety and Health Administration.  It will be at the Hyatt Regency            
Washington Hotel.
    Healthcare workers frequently contract hepatitis and other blood-borne    
diseases from accidental cuts by sharp medical instruments such as            
hypodermic needles and scalpels.  A number of workers also have been          
infected with the human immunodeficiency virus as a result of such injuries.
    The conference will assess the problem in the light of new and emerging   
technology, promote development of improved medical devices and explore ways  
to prevent infection.
    For further information, contact Laura Timperio, Frontline Healthcare     
Workers, PACE Enterprises, Inc., 17 Executive Park Dr., Suite 200, Atlanta,   
Ga., telephone (404) 633-8610, fax (404) 633-8745.
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