Philadelphia — Results of a recent survey suggest that some facial plastic surgeons put less than optimal priority on appropriate hand hygiene.

Researchers from the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospital conducted a Web-based survey of members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery regarding general patient safety practices. A subset of the survey assessed physicians' knowledge of hand hygiene. Just over half (53 percent) of the 122 facial plastic surgeons who responded knew which hand-washing agents are most effective in killing microorganisms, while 42 percent correctly identified indications for hand washing. About 75 percent knew the preferred hand-washing method for visibly soiled hands.

The authors conclude that there seems to be a lack of knowledge regarding indications, methods and appropriate agents for hand hygiene. They add that promoting adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines is an important step in increasing hand-hygiene compliance among facial plastic surgeons.

Results of the survey were published in a recent issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.