Rubella exposure in an obstetric clinic.

Despite a massive national rubella immunization program, rubella infection remains a public health problem. When a nurse employed in a hospital-based obstetric clinic became ill with rubella, a crisis was precipitated. The hospital staff implemented a plan to inform the exposed 151 patients and 44 employees of the potential danger to themselves and their fetuses. To identify persons at risk, a program of rubella antibody testing of contacts was instituted. In 3 distinct attempts to obtain blood specimens, patient compliance rates fell progressively from 79 to 14%. One additional infected employee was detected. A list of recommendations designed to prevent or lessen the impact of future rubella exposures in hospitals is presented.