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 find 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 post year. Proof of vaccination for employment was required by 57/85 hospitals, 47/79 universities, and 6/32 self-employed/group practices (χ², 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 (χ², 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) (χ², 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.