An Agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority
HIV POC Confirmatory Testing: Blood NOT Collected at Test Site
BCCDC Lab*
(Standard HIV Test)
Blood Collection &
Transport
(Lab or Public Health)
HIV POC Testing Site
There is a need for HIV POC
confirmatory testing.
BCCDC* Serology Screening
requisition is completed.
Blood
Collection
Process
BCCDC Lab* is notified by fax
(use template).
BCCDC*
Standard HIV
Test Process
Sample is
transported to
BCCDC*.
HIV standard lab test report is
received by the testing site.
Non-matching results are
explained and recorded.
NO
Do the lab and POC
results match?
BC HIV POC Program is
informed.
YES
Client is given the HIV result
and interpretation, with any
retest recommendations.
HIV NEGATIVE
END
HIV POSITIVE
HIV Clinical
Client Care
Process
* Formal acronym is BC PHMRL
Page 1 of 2
Updated: August 2014
An Agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority
HIV POC Confirmatory Testing: Blood NOT Collected at the Test Site
These instructions are written for blood collected somewhere other than at the test site. Samples will come to the BCCDC*
Lab for HIV Confirmatory Testing. These instructions use the BCCDC* Lab STAT process to give precedence to these
samples, and to alert lab receivers that additional testing is needed. If samples go elsewhere for testing, discuss the
appropriate process with your site lead.
Confirmatory testing is
ordered when POC test result
is:
o
o
o
reactive, indeterminate, or invalid twice (same client)
nonreactive, but there are indications of acute infection
difficult to interpret
A BCCDC* Serology requisition
is used for all test requests.
o
Complete the BCCDC* Serology requisition available at:
http://www.bccdc.ca/POC.
 Complete a separate requisition for HIV if other blood work is
requested.
 Read the back of the Serology requisition for instructions.
Complete the requisition as for a standard HIV test, BUT:
 Check off OTHER in the Reason for Test box.
 Write “INSTI follow-up” in the space provided.
 DO NOT include the POC test results on the requisition.
 Apply a STAT label to the top of the requisition, or write “STAT” on
the top.
If ACUTE INFECTION is suspected:
 Check off “Symptomatic” in the Clinical Information Box.
 Check off “acute” in the Reason for Test box.
 Write “Request NAAT testing” in the Comments box.
o
o
FAX sent to BCCDC* lab to
alert them of sample arrival
o
o
Use the Confirmatory FAX template provided at http://www.bccdc.ca/POC.
FAX to the BCCDC* lab at 604-707-2407 so that they can follow-up and
keep appropriate contact information.
Comparison of results
o
When received, compare the HIV standard lab test result to the original POC
test result.
 This practice alerts you to a possible false positive POC result, or an
early infection that was not detected by POC testing, or other
possible problem.
Write a note on the client’s chart as proof that someone looked at the result
and could account for any discordance.
Record the true or false positive result on the client testing log sheet. This
information will then be reported to the BC HIV POCT Program on the
Monthly Summary Report.
 Contact the program at 604-707-5635 if results are discordant.
Contact the MHO office or HIV Designated Nurse with the final result.
Schedule repeat testing as indicated on the lab report.
o
o
o
o
Clinical Recommendations
o
o
Include a note on the chart (or other written confirmation) that the results
were conveyed to the client, and the client’s reaction.
Additional HIV resources are available through the HIV Designated Nurse or
through the HIV Education Department at BCCDC (604-707-5611).
*Formal acronym is BC PHMRL
Page 2 of 2
Updated: August 2014