Blood Work to be Ordered

The following blood work shall be ordered by the emergency room physician:

HIV Antibody (Rapid Test)
Both the source patient and the exposed employee must be tested. The source patient shall be tested utilizing an HIV rapid test. The exposed patient shall be tested utilizing an HIV antibody test.

Hepatitis C Antibody (Results obtained within 24-48 hours)
Source patient and the exposed employee if source patient test is positive.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (Stat)
Post exposure testing depends on the employee's vaccination status and subsequent immunity to Hepatitis B. Employees who have been vaccinated for Hepatitis B and have documented immunity (anti-HBs greater than or equal to 10 mlU/mL) are considered to be immune and no further actions are necessary, and it is not necessary to test the source patient.  If the exposed employee does not have documented immunity, then the source patient shall be tested utilizing a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test (STAT).

If the source patient's HBsAg is positive or unknown, employees should have the following Hepatitis B post exposure tests:

  • HBsAg

  • anti-HBs

  • anti-HBc

Once results are obtained, the physician shall review the test results with both the source patient and the exposed employee. The physician shall then contact the National Clinician's Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Hotline at (888) 448-4911 OR an Infection Disease Specialist for consultation regarding post-exposure prophylaxis.

Medical Examiner's Office

If the source patient is deceased and in the care of the medical examiner, complete the "Letter of request to the Medical Examiners Office" form below: