Canadian Province Announces Law, which have exposed persons, the rescue workers to undergo HIV blood test can
Officials of Alberta, Canada, last week announced a new law requiring people who may be exposed emergency workers against HIV or other infectious diseases to submit a blood test if ordered by a judge, the Edmonton Sun reports . BRBRUnder law, emergency workers - including police and fire department paramedics - who believe they have been exposed to HIV or other infectious diseases may ask the court for a blood test (Kauth, Edmonton Sun, 9 / 13). In addition, medical director of Alberta will be able to access the medical records of people who may have an emergency worker exposed to HIV to determine whether the worker is at risk for HIV or hepatitis (Myers, Calgary Herald, 9 / 13).BRBRAccording Sun, suspects in two of 12 cases of potential exposure in Edmonton, Alberta, have
refused HIV testing. Steve Rapanos, Chief of Emergency Medical Services in Edmonton, said 14 paramedics have potential exposure to HIV since January (Edmonton Sun, 13.9) had. Before the new law, there was no way for people who are HIV-exposed workers may have access to HIV testing or medical history force. BRBRThe new law is a revision of the law on blood samples, which was approved in 2004.Officials were worried that the original blood samples would survive a possible challenge to the law (Calgary Herald, 13-09). The law - which follows similar legislation in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia - in force Oct. 1, reports the Sun (Edmonton Sun, 13.09) to go.Reaction According to the Herald, the new law is to be praised by some emergency workers and criticized by some
civil libertarians. Opponents of the law say that privacy concerns outweigh the peace of mind provided to emergency personnel (Calgary Herald, 9 / 13). Health Minister Dave Hancock said the new law eliminates privacy concerns because a judge must determine whether the person is really at risk of HIV or other infectious diseases. Officials said the new law will allow emergency workers to begin first post-exposure prophylaxis if Pages: [1] 2