OSHA Watch Question of the Month - July/August 2005
July/August Question of the Month: Which lab tests for HBV, HCV and HIV should be ordered after a needlestick?
Answer: Order these tests for the source patient:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
- Antibody to HIV (anti-HIV)
- Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)
If the source patient tests negative for HBV, HCV & HIV, there is no need to test the exposed employee. If the source patient tests positive for HBV, HCV and/or HIV, or if the source patient is unknown or refuses testing, order the lab tests listed below.
If the source patient is positive for:
- Hepatitis B, order HbsAg test for employees who are not immune. No testing is required for immune employees.
- Hepatitis C, order Anti HCV and ALT tests. Repeat in 4-6 months and at 12 months HIV, order Anti HIV test. Repeat at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months or anytime illness occurs that resembles HIV infection.
Posted by Quality America on December 20, 2005 | Comments (2)
Comments
Just wanted to double check with you after reading the info noted above. If the source pt results are negative for all the HIV, HBV, HCV testing, there is no need to do follow up testing on the exposed employee at 6wks, 12wks, 6mth, 1yr?....this is of course after you have checked the immunity of the employee for Hep B.
It was my understanding that you had to. Please let me know which is the correct data. Thanks,
Christa Edwards
Posted by: Christa Edwards at February 9, 2006 05:42 PM
If the source patient is negative for HBV, HCV and HIV, then no further testing is needed for the exposed employee.
Posted by: Dr. Dunn at February 17, 2006 03:37 PM
Recommend a colleague