Question

Bergalis was one of six patients infected with HIV after visiting David J. Acer, the Florida dentist who had AIDS. This incident is the first known case of clinical transmission of HIV. The claim asserted the Dr. Acer infected others with HIV and that his patients were unaware of his status. As a result, one of those patients, Kimberly Ann Bergalis, died of AIDS at the age of 23. In addition to being the first known clinical transmission , it also bears the designation as being the first known case of a transmission of the disease that was "innocent exposure" during a dental procedure. Investigation into this case, in the 1980's proved that Dr. Acer was not using universal precautions-he was working on patients without any gloves and reusing unsterilized instruments. As a result of this case, in 1985 OSHA began to require that all healthcare providers use universal precautions when treating any patients in any area of health care. With all the past and current AIDS/HIV education, we still have many people exposed and dying from AIDS/HIV. 1. Should it be mandated that healthcare workers with a positive HIV status must inform their patients? 2. What can be done, specifically, to prevent exposures? 3. What consequences should be facing a provider who takes these actions today?

Answer 1

1)Healthcare providers eventhough they are infected with HIV have the ability to practice.But they have the opportunity to not disclose their HIV status to patients.The reason for this is to help the providers from stigma.As people who are HIV positive face stigma in society.And to save the providers from stigma there is no absolute law to disclose their health status to patients.But certain precautions should be followed so that the patients cannot be infected​ with virus.

If the patient is exposed with body fluids or blood of the provider then they should disclose their condition to patients.

2)To prevent exposure one must always be follow the precautions such as wearing gloves and using sterilized equipment. Equipment such as syringes should not be reused. Precautions should be taken so that the patients cannot be exposed to body fluids of the HIV person.

3)As the healthcare provider did not follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of HIV infection he will be dismissed from his job.