HCV-Positive Patients.Patients who are anti-HCV positive (or HCV RNA positive) do not have to be isolated from other patients or dialyzed separately on dedicated machines. Furthermore, they can participate in dialyzer reuse programs. Unlike HBV, HCV is not transmitted efficiently through occupational exposures. Thus, reprocessing dialyzers from HCV-positive patients should not place staff members at increased risk for infection.
15. Pol S, Romeo R, Zins B et al. Hepatitis C virus RNA in anti-HCV positive hemodialyzed patients: significance and therapeutic implications. Kidney Int 1993; 44: 1097-100(B).