Blood exposure risk during procedural dermatology.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Holzmann
Ruth D
RD
Department of Dermatology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. rdholzmann@mac.com
Liang
Michelle
M
Nadiminti
Hari
H
McCarthy
Joanne
J
Gharia
Manish
M
Jones
Jennifer
J
Neel
Victor
V
Schanbacher
Carl F
CF
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D003880:Dermatology; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D016635:Universal Precautions; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission
D000925:Anticoagulants