Safety Precautions in Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Patients with Known Blood-Borne Infections: A Survey-Based Study

Abstract

A survey-based study was conducted to gather expert experience on safety procedures used when performing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) on patients with known infectious hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Six hundred eighty-four fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons were surveyed to examine the types of safety protocols used when treating patients with known infectious hepatitis or HIV and the frequency of exposure injuries to laboratory and surgical personnel from these patients. One hundred eighty-eight (27.5%) surveys were collected; 64.7% of respondents reported at least one exposure injury to surgical or laboratory personnel in the past year, and 4.8% reported exposure from a patient with known hepatitis or HIV infection. Risk of reporting at least one injury from a patient with known infection within the past year was significantly less when also reporting disposal of the ink applicator after each use (relative risk [RR]=0.109) and greater when employing laboratory personnel with no medical education or background (RR=3.857). No exposures were reported from respondents using blunt skin hooks, safety scalpels, safety syringes, smoke evacuators, a separate ink supply, or 24-hour formalin fixation. Although firm associations cannot be made from this study, the data suggest that certain measures may help to reduce the rate of exposure injuries in MMS.