Investigations

Blood should be sent from the recipient for:

• Hepatitis B surface antigen.
• Hepatitis C antibody.
• HIV antibody.

In some circumstances the donor patient may also present to the ED and be willing to undergo investigation. If their BBV status is unknown, following appropriate consent, their blood should be sent for the same investigations. Results may be available within hours. If awaiting results will not exceed the 72 hour window for HIV PEP, and a reliable route for potentially same day follow up can be arranged, it may be appropriate to delay making treatment decisions until the source’s results are available.