RISK OF ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE TO BLOOD-BORNE INFECTION DURING PLASTIC SURGICAL OPERATIONS

To find out the incidence of accidental exposure to blood borne infect ions by the operation team in the department of plastic surgery a thre e month survey was carried out. All episodes of exposure of unprotecte d skin or mucous membranes to blood were recorded. There were 94 accid ents in 746 operations, and 17 (18%) of the injuries penetrated the sk in. These were mostly self injuries, typically the surgeon injuring hi s non-dominant index finger. Only one injured person wanted the patien t to have an HIV test after the injury, and none of the injured people wanted an HIV test. Only two reported the injury as an occupational a ccident.