The source patient should be approached for their consent for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing. The source patient is the patient whose body fluid the healthcare worker has been exposed to.
Please note: Source testing can only be undertaken with the patient’s consent. The patient must only be approached by a SENIOR member of the patient’s clinical team (medical or nursing) and asking for consent to test.
The injured healthcare worker should not approach the source themselves unless they are working single-handedly. In this case, if the source patient agrees to blood tests, their GP or A&E can undertake the testing. The Single handed practitioner should contact the GP/A&E to explain the situation.
Information Leaflet for Patients on Source Testing
OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT FROM THE SOURCE PATIENT
