Testing for HIV or Other Blood-Borne Pathogens

Introduction

Date of Last Review 9/5/08
SME: Infection Control Manager

This topic provides information about counseling and testing a patient for HIV or other blood-borne pathogens.

Patient care policy

The attending physician must ensure that the identification of an infected patient does not result in the following for the patient while s/he is a UTHCPC patient:

Denial of needed care

Provision of suboptimal care

Confidentiality

UTHCPC only informs the following of a patient's test results:

UTHCPC employees directly involved with that patient's care

Specific public health agencies as required

Counseling

The attending physicians must document counseling.

Counseling must include the following:

Meaning of test results

Possible need for additional testing

Measures to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus

Availability of appropriate health care services Including:

Mental health care

Appropriate social and support services in the geographic area of the person's residence

Benefits of partner notification

Availability of partner notification programs

Who gets tested

A patient can request testing when s/he considers him/herself at risk for HIV or other blood-borne pathogens.

The physician may request testing when a health care worker is accidentally exposed to the blood or body fluids of a patient deemed at risk.

Counseling and testing process

This table describes the process for testing and counseling a patient.

Stage	Description
1	The attending physician orders HIV or other blood-borne pathogens testing on patients when s/he considers the patient at risk for HIV or the patient has been involved with a blood borne pathogen exposure.
2	The attending physician counsels the patient on the reasons for testing and informs the patient of what UTHCPC provides as follow-up.
3	This table describes what happens next: WHEN the patient... THEN... Consents to testing S/he signs a consent form. Refuses testing The attending physician documents the intervention made and the results in the patient record. The process is complete. Policy: UTHCPC does not deny health care on the basis of test refusal
4	The attending physician places the following in the patient record: The signed consent form Documentation of patient counseling by the physician or designated staff
5	The attending physician performs the tests.
6	The attending physician informs the patient of the test results.
7	This table describes what happens next: WHEN the patient's test results are... THEN... Sero-positive or indeterminate The attending physician provides immediate, individual, face-to-face counseling. Negative The process is complete.

Form

HIV Test Request and Consent

Related standards

The Joint Commission : Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of Infection

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