Pediatric emergency physicians and communicable diseases: can we be trusted to take care of ourselves?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if pediatric emergency physicians (PEP) are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations that all health care workers receive routine vaccines and annual tuberculosis screens.

DESIGN

A two-page mail survey with one follow-up mailing.

PARTICIPANTS

All active members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Section on Emergency Medicine. Additional inclusion criteria were completion of training and employment in an emergency setting.

RESULTS

Of 407 surveys, 286 (60%) were returned; 209 met inclusion criteria. Proof of immunization was not required of 43% of PEP; 42% were not required to have an annual tuberculosis (TB) screen. PEP reported immunity to the following: polio (95%), measles (94%), hepatitis B (91%), rubella (90%), mumps (90%), varicella (90%), and diphtheria-tetanus (86%). However, only 72% received a TB screen, and 60% received an influenza vaccine within the past year. Proof of vaccination for employment was required by 57/85 hospitals, 47/79 universities, and 6/32 self-employed/group practices (chi 2, P < 0.001). Proof of an annual TB screen was required by 64/87 hospitals, 44/82 universities, and 8/32 self-employed/group practices (chi 2, P < 0.001). PEP were more likely to have had a recent annual TB screen if required by their employer (104/117) than if left to their own initiative (42/87) (chi 2, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although PEP are well protected against most vaccine-preventable diseases, many are not receiving annual TB screens nor influenza vaccines. The CDC guidelines are not being routinely followed by PEP.