In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia estimated that approximately 1 million people in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS, and that approximately 25% these were undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. For many such patients the emergency department may be the only part of the health care system that is utilized. In 2006, the CDC revised their recommendations for HIV testing in a variety of care settings including the emergency department (ED). Early identification and treatment improves survival for patients with HIV. Earlier testing programs including those provided in the ED will lead earlier detection and further reduction in the transmission of HIV in the United States. (1,2,3) The analysis was focused on ED providersà knowledge and attitudes towards routine HIV testing, perceived barriers to HIV testing.
Objective:
To evaluate ED staff attitudes and potential barriers towards ED based POC HIV testing in an urban academic ED prior to implementing an ED based POC HIV test.