Guidelines for BBV Testing Following Exposure Incidents

Managing the risk of blood-borne virus (BBV) transmission following an exposure incident requires careful consideration of both the exposed individual's and the source patient's health interests. This guide outlines the procedures for obtaining consent for BBV testing, including HIV, HBV, and HCV.

Obtaining Information from the Source Patient

Initial Steps: A designated doctor is responsible for gathering information on potential BBV infection indicators from the source patient. This includes understanding the patient's risk factors and any previous test results for HIV and Hepatitis.

Consent for Testing

• Seeking Consent: The source patient should be asked to consent to BBV testing, which includes a pre-test discussion to ensure they provide fully informed consent.
• Importance of Consent: It is generally found that, when approached correctly, patients rarely withhold consent for testing.

Balancing Health Interests

There may be circumstances where the health interests of the exposed healthcare worker or employee need to be balanced against the source patient's rights. This could include deciding whether a previously obtained blood sample from the source patient should be tested for infection.

Adhering to Medical Guidelines

Guidance Compliance: In such situations, the doctor should follow the General Medical Council's guidance on serious communicable diseases. Any action taken must be justifiable within these guidelines.