The surgeon had admitted to applying hemostatic material to sternal incisions without the use of sponges, which is not recommended due to the possibility of glove tears and percutaneous contact. Therefore, there is atleast some evidence for 'inadequate infection control'. However, it must be added that the rare percutaneous exposure does not account for the high rate of infection as identified in this study.

Since it is well-known that HB infections tend to be asymptomatic in almost 70% of the cases, it increases the risk factor of the physician transmitting the virus unknowingly. [3] Health care workers (HCW) who perform invasive procedures are obligated to know their serological status for HIV, HB and other chronic infectious conditions. Medical practice of HBeAg-positive health care worker should be carefully monitored and restricted as the health Canada panel recommended recently. [4] Blatant or negligent violations in this respect, on the part of the...
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