E. Informed consent must be obtained, since the use of AZT is experimental at this time. F. Dosage of AZT should be prescribed according to current community standard. Drug dosage may be reduced or drug discontinued depending on toxicities. When source testing is sought, the source patient should be approached and counseled by a clinician other than the exposed individual. At all times, the confidentiality of the source patient should be maintained.
Breaches of confidentiality can have extremely serious emotional and financial implications.
Source patients should be tested according to state laws. ANA believes source patient testing is necessary unless the source patient is known to be HIV-infected or bloodborne hepatitis antigen positive. ANA also recommends that testing be done at no cost to the patient. Such billings result in loss of confidentiality and adverse insurance actions. All testing and counseling of exposed health care workers should be provided by staff skilled in interviewing and counseling.