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Guidance from the ACDP TSE Working Group

As part of its remit, the ACDP TSE Working Group produces the guidance document Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: safe working and the prevention of infection. The aim of the guidance is the minimisation of the risk of transmission of CJD and vCJD.

The current guidance was published in June 2003, replacing the March 1998 edition. The guidance has evolved in the years since, with new annexes being added and current guidance being updated as further scientific information becomes available, or future policy decisions need to be reflected.

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Latest news

2 February 2010

16 November 2009: Annex C: General principles of decontamination and waste disposal

12 October 2009: Alert to urological surgeons – transrectal prostatic biopsy in men at risk of variant CJD

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Annex G - Decontamination of other specialised equipment  is currently being revised.

Part 1: Introduction

Published: 2 June 2003

Part 2: Health and Safety management of TSEs

Published: 2 June 2003

Part 3: Laboratory containment and control measures

Published: 15 December 2003

Part 4: Infection control of CJD and related disorders in the healthcare setting

Published: 2 June 2003, updated: 30 March 2007

Annex A1: Distribution of TSE infectivity in human tissues and body fluids

Published: 2 June 2003, updated: January 2010

Annex A2: Distribution of infectivity in animal tissue and body fluids

Published: 2 June 2003 , updated: 7 February 2007

Annex B: Diagnostic criteria

Published: 2 June 2003 updated: 22 October 2008

Annex C: General principles of decontamination and waste disposal

Published: 16 November 2009

Annex D - Transport of TSE-infected material

Published: December 2003, updated: 23 January 2009

Annex E - Quarantining of surgical instruments

Published: 2 June 2003, revised October 2009

Annex F - Endoscopy

Published: September 2004, revised and updated: 7 January 2010

Consensus statement from the BSG Decontamination Working Group and the ACDP TSE Working Group

Published: November 2005, revised and updated: 2 June 2008

Annex H: After death

Published: 2 June 2003

Information sheet for funeral directors, relatives and others following a CJD death

Published: May 2007

Annex I: Outline protocol for management of instruments and tissues from brain biopsy procedures on patients with progressive neurological disorders

Published: 2005, updated: May 2007

Annex J - Assessment to be carried out before surgery and/or endoscopy to identify patients with, or at risk of, CJD or vCJD

Revised and updated 25 January 2010

Annex K: Guidelines for pathologists and pathology laboratories for the handling of tissues from patients with, or at risk of, CJD or vCJD

Published: March 2009

Annex L - Managing CJDvCJD risk in ophthalmology

Published September 2009

Frequently asked questions and useful links

The frequently asked questions section is specifically aimed to provide more information to healthcare workers.

Useful links

Contact

For queries regarding the ACDP TSE Working Group guidance, please see the Frequently asked questions section on this page. If this does not answer your question, please contact the ACDP Secretariat at the address below.

Note for healthcare workers: Please make sure you seek advice locally regarding the infection control precautions to be taken for specific patients with or at risk of CJD/vCJD before contacting the ACDP Secretariat. The Secretariat cannot provide clinical advice.

ACDP Secretariat
Health Protection Agency
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5DF

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