| Title | Blood exposure risk during procedural dermatology. | | Author(s) | Holzmann RD, Liang M, Nadiminti H, McCarthy J, Gharia M, Jones J, Neel V, Schanbacher CF | | Institution | Department of Dermatology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. rdholzmann@mac.com | | Source | J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 May; 58(5):817-25. | | MeSH | Anticoagulants
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Dermatology
Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional
Eye Protective Devices
Humans
Mohs Surgery
Skin
Universal Precautions
Virus Diseases
| | Abstract | BACKGROUND: Dermatologists are at risk of body-fluid contamination during procedures.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the frequency of blood splash during procedural dermatology.
METHODS: In all, 500 consecutive excisions were performed. Postoperatively, blood droplets on face shields and surgical gowns were counted. A survey regarding universal precautions during procedures was also conducted with members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS).
RESULTS: Contamination from blood splashes during dermatologic procedures (Mohs micrographic surgery, excision, repair) occurred in 66.4%. Reconstruction type, anticoagulation use, wound location, and wound size correlated with a higher blood splash rate. Our survey showed that face shields and goggles are used inconsistently.
LIMITATIONS: The 4 participating dermatologists do not represent all practicing dermatologists. It may be possible to generalize the survey results directed at physicians in the ACMS.
CONCLUSION: Physician body-fluid contamination risk with procedural dermatology is clinically significant. Dermatologists and their assistants should wear preventive barriers during procedures to minimize the risk of viral transmission. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 18423259 |
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