Table 4.

Multivariate Analysis of Patient-Care Practices Associated with Increased Prevalence of Hemodialysis-Associated Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Adjusted for Facility Characteristics and Non-Dialysis-Related HCV Risk Factors

Observed Patient-Care Practices	Adjusted Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) *
Priming receptacles reused between patients without cleaning or disinfection	2.3 (1.4–3.9)
Blood specimens handled in or adjacent to an area where medications were being prepared or other clean supplies were present	2.2 (1.3–3.8)
Blood specimens handled in or adjacent to a designated clean area, although clean items not present at the time of observation	2.2 (1.3–3.6)
Mobile medication carts used in treatment areas to distribute injectable medications	1.7 (1.0–2.8)
Dialysis machine monitor knobs decontaminated between patients ≤70% of time	1.2 (0.7–2.1)
Adhesive tape carried in staff pockets	1.5 (0.8–2.9)
Facility-related covariates†
≥10% HCV patient prevalence	3.0 (1.8–5.2)
Patient to staff ratio ≥7 to 1	2.4 (1.4–4.1)
≥2 years treatment duration	2.4 (1.3–4.4)

^*For each category, the adjusted odds ratio was calculated relative to the referent group (patients treated in facilities in which the practices were not observed or which did not have the characteristics) assigned an odds ratio of 1.0.

^†Included in all models, but for purposes of example adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals shown only from one model. These measures were similar across all models.