A national survey of surgeons' attitudes about patients with human immunodeficiency virus infections and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

We conducted a national survey to learn about surgeons' attitudes toward patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We received 1039 (72%) responses from 1451 potential respondents. Seventy-four percent (766 of 1028) of surgeons were in favor of routine human immunodeficiency virus testing of patients, yet only 6% did so routinely and another 6% did so selectively. Most (88%) surgeons believed that patients had a right to know if their surgeon was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and would agree to be tested if so requested by a patient. Most (72%) surgeons also believed that surgeons with the human immunodeficiency virus should have their operating privileges restricted. Only 8% knew the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus infection if they sustained a percutaneous injury with contaminated blood, and only 61% were familiar with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines on universal precautions. The respondents also believed that others were "making the rules" for them while they were "taking the risks."