Regular blood venesection is essential for HIV patient care. It is conducted for two main reasons:
- To ensure that ART working effectively as indicated by VL
- To detect side effects from ART and ensure safety. Steps can also be taken to rectify the problem early. This avoids complications which may be irreversible, e.g., renal failure.
- Ensure all essential blood results are obtained and checked by clinician
- Recall all patients timeously to discuss laboratory results if any are abnormalities detected. Delegate this task to a specific person.
- Share the actual results with the patient so that they understand and are aware of issues. This is empowering. It may also assist clinicians if the patient transfers to another site for care. Explain in simple terms what are the implications and concerns.
- Encourage a logbook to track their results. Keeping a record can display trends.
- Make legible notes in the clinical records. Include when the next laboratory test is due and advise the patient when to return, eg. PAP smear
- Ensure all results are entered into the clinical notes for record keeping (and any other healthcare workers who may share support). Always provide a test date.
- A hard copy result avoids errors if results are obtained telephonically or lifted from Trakcare® computer webview portal.
- Results for Action (RfA) allows HCWs to identify patients at site level with VLs > 100) as well as positive CrAg tests
The following may assist the clinician to determine how to conduct blood tests. This will avoid unnecessary additional trips to the facility:

In addition, a PCR heel prick test for newborns can be stored in a cool place or fridge to reach the laboratory as soon as possible but within 4 days .