Page updated 30 April 2007
Testing for Bloodborne Viruses
A special request form may be provided for HIV antibody tests. The Consultant for the patient will take responsibility for all the tests performed on their patients. HIV testing is a special case because the GMC indicate that a special pre-test discussion should be carried out. Laboratory staff are not in a position to check whether counselling has been done so will generally test blood in good faith.
In a Consultant wishes to test the blood of an ill patient to exclude the diagnosis of AIDS without asking the patient, or if the patient is not able to understand or give consent, then it is acceptable for this to be done and the Consultant will take responsibility. The justification must be clearly written in the patient's notes and the Consultant must inform the Microbiologist / Virologist that the test is being requested under these special circumstances.
In the case of a needlestick injury, a donor's test blood will be tested for BBVs FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RECIPIENT OF THE INJURY. In this case limited counselling will be done by the person requesting the test as indicated in the Sharps Policy.
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