Abstract

There are approximately 1,800 people living with HIV in eastern North Carolina and are unaware of their infection. A decade ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued revised recommendations to routinely test for HIV in various settings, including emergency departments. We used those guidelines to test adults, treat those unaware of their infection, and re-link others to care.

Proposal Summary

Across the nation, people working in HIV care search for innovative and high-impact interventions to prevent, test and treat those impacted by the infection. Historically, resources have gone to major metropolitan areas even though HIV infection climbs among suburban and rural areas of our nation. As HIV relocates to rural regions, it is even more necessary and pertinent to redistribute funds and utilize resources more creatively. Thus, implementation of the CDC’s recommendations was initiated. With the dismissal of the previously required written consent and pre-test counseling, we have tested more than 2,300 persons and found a total of 14 persons living with HIV infection (to date). Participants of this learning session will become familiar with new CDC recommendations, will realize the coupling of “policy-driven” approaches with electronic medical record modifications facilitates higher testing numbers, will appreciate the role of a linkage and retention coordinator and public health disease intervention specialists who link and re-link persons to HIV care, and recognize expansion of HIV screenings can be extended to other settings within the health system, even to test for other infections, such as Hepatitis C Virus. Information and details related to the demographics of our study population, final testing numbers, and linkage/re-linkage to care and widespread testing strategies are included.

Relevance And Significance

This implementation science study most accurately matches the prevention and intervention conference track since we integrated testing into normal clinical flow, modified our electronic medical record, changed organization-wide policies, and trained and motivated staff and used their feedback for quality improvement of HIV testing services in rural eastern North Carolina. As far as the authors are aware, they are the first organization in a rural location executing testing to this scale.

Session Format

Presentation Session

Keywords

Implementation Science, Routine HIV Testing, Policy-Driven Approaches, Emergency Department

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

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Sep 21st, 10:45 AM Sep 21st, 11:30 AM

Routine, Opt-Out HIV Testing in a rural emergency department

There are approximately 1,800 people living with HIV in eastern North Carolina and are unaware of their infection. A decade ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued revised recommendations to routinely test for HIV in various settings, including emergency departments. We used those guidelines to test adults, treat those unaware of their infection, and re-link others to care.