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A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Sharps Injuries Among Dermatologic Surgeons: A Survey of American College of Mohs
Faezeh Talebi-Liasi1, Jesse M Lewin
1All authors are affiliated with The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Background:
There is a paucity of data on sharps injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposure among Dermatologic Surgeons.
Objective:
Quantify occupational risks from sharps injuries among Mohs surgeons. Determine rate of injury, reporting, and confidence in staff's sharps handling.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis performed using survey responses from Mohs surgeons with membership in the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS).
Results:
A total of 60 ACMS members completed the survey. Overall, 56.7% reported at least 1 sharps injury within the past year, of which 14.7% resulted in a bloodborne exposure (odds of exposure: 7.5% per year). The most common type of injury was self-inflicted suture needlestick (76.5%). Forty-four-point-one percent did not report their injuries. Ninety-five percent reported access to postexposure prophylaxis at their workplace. In addition, respondents in academic and single-specialty practices were more likely to report high or moderate confidence in staff sharps handling knowledge and in injury reporting compared with respondents from multispecialty and solo practices (88% vs 54% p = .02, 76%-81% vs 27% p = .0004, respectively).
Conclusion:
Sharps injuries and under-reporting of these injuries are common among Mohs surgeons. Despite reporting of higher confidence in staff knowledge and training in academic and single-specialty practices, there was no correlation with surgeon's rate of injury.
