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7th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]27 – 29 April 2001, The Hove Centre, Brighton |
[AUTHOR(S):] AJ Palfreeman, K Sivakumar
Peterborough District Hospital, UK
BHIVA Conf 2001 Apr 27-29;7:O14
INTRODUCTION: We decided to pilot universal testing on an opt-out basis on the same lines as the antenatal clinic to see if this was acceptable to patients.
METHOD: We amended all the clinic literature, including notices in reception, clinic leaflets and sheets given to patients when they fill in their personal details, to include information that blood is taken routinely in clinic for testing for HIV. Patients identified as high-risk, and who would have been sent to the health advisor previously, were all referred for a further discussion. We then compared the number of HIV tests done before and after the introduction of the change in policy for the 6 months up to April 2000 and the 6 months afterwards.
RESULTS: The total number of new patients seen between October 1999 and March 2000 was 937 patients, and 296 HIV tests were performed on these patients, 31% of the total. The total number of new patients seen between April 2000 and September 2000 was 1052, and 967 HIV tests were performed, 92% of the total.
CONCLUSION: HIV is now a treatable condition and this study has shown that uptake of the test can be significantly raised in a way that is acceptable to patients and staff.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: AJ Palfreeman
010427
O14
Copyright © 2001, 2011 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD