RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 ROUTINE HIV TESTING IN AN INNER CITY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 905
OP 905
DO 10.1136/emermed-2016-206402.13
VO 33
IS 12
A1 LJ Hunter
A1 C Lojo Rial
A1 N Larbalestier
A1 J Paparello
YR 2016
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/33/12/905.1.abstract
AB Objectives & Background The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine recommend that adults should be tested for HIV in endemic areas with a prevalence >0.2%. It is estimated that approximately 25% of those living with HIV are unaware of their diagnosis. Late diagnosis is associated with a ten-fold increased risk of death in the following year,1 and increased risk of onwards HIV transmission. In July 2015 our Emergency Department commenced a pilot project to assess the feasibility of routine HIV testing within a busy inner city ED.Methods Patients over the age of 16 had an HIV test performed if they required venepuncture during their emergency department attendance. Tests were ordered using a pre-configured blood order set including a pre-selected HIV test. Patients were informed of the intention to test all attendances and were able to opt out if desired. Positive or equivocal results were followed up by our HIV team.Results Over 36 weeks, 64% of ED attendances (19,569/30,461) were tested for HIV. Our prevalence was 0.9% (n=172) and of those 0.3% were not aware of their positive HIV status (n=68). Thirteen patients were not currently engaged in services, although aware of their diagnosis. Median age was 36(18–61). Patients who tested positive were predominantly male (84%) and Caucasian (59%) (37% BME, 4% Asian).50% of patients who tested positive self- identified as heterosexual, and 50% as MSM(men who have sex with men). A significant number (54%) of newly diagnosed patients had previously attended our emergency department prior to routine HIV testing. 23% of new diagnoses required an acute admission.Conclusion The Emergency Department provides a suitable environment for opportunistic HIV testing in areas of high prevalence. We have maintained testing rates of >65% of our ED attendances, achieved early diagnosis and treatment engagement in patients who were unaware of their HIV status. In addition, we have identified a number of patients who had been lost to follow-up and have now re-engaged in care. Use of pre-configured blood order sets, regular staff education and feedback on results improves testing rates.