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01-03-2007 | Original Article

HIV Testing of At Risk Patients in a Large Integrated Health Care System

Authors: Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS, Vandana Sundaram, MPH, Laura C. Lazzeroni, PhD, Lena R. Douglass, BS, Patricia Tempio, BS, Mark Holodniy, MD, Gillian D. Sanders, PhD, Vera M. Shadle, MHA, MHS, Valerie C. McWhorter, MD, Teodora Agoncillo, BS, Noreen Haren, MPH, Darlene Chavis, Leila H. Borowsky, MPH, Elizabeth M. Yano, PhD, Peter Jensen, MD, Michael S. Simberkoff, MD, Samuel A. Bozzette, MD, PhD

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Issue 3/2007

Abstract

Objective

Early identification of HIV infection is critical for patients to receive life-prolonging treatment and risk-reduction counseling. Understanding HIV screening practices and barriers to HIV testing is an important prelude to designing successful HIV screening programs. Our objective was to evaluate current practice patterns for identification of HIV.

Methods

We used a retrospective cohort analysis of 13,991 at-risk patients seen at 4 large Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care systems. We also reviewed 1,100 medical records of tested patients. We assessed HIV testing rates among at-risk patients, the rationale for HIV testing, and predictors of HIV testing and of HIV infection.

Results

Of the 13,991 patients at risk for HIV, only 36% had been HIV-tested. The prevalence of HIV ranged from 1% to 20% among tested patients at the 4 sites. Approximately 90% of patients who were tested had a documented reason for testing.

Conclusion

One-half to two-thirds of patients at risk for HIV had not been tested within our selected VA sites. Among tested patients, the rationale for HIV testing was well documented. Further testing of at-risk patients could clearly benefit patients who have unidentified HIV infection by providing earlier access to life-prolonging therapy.

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Title: HIV Testing of At Risk Patients in a Large Integrated Health Care System
Authors: Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS
Vandana Sundaram, MPH
Laura C. Lazzeroni, PhD
Lena R. Douglass, BS
Patricia Tempio, BS
Mark Holodniy, MD
Gillian D. Sanders, PhD
Vera M. Shadle, MHA, MHS
Valerie C. McWhorter, MD
Teodora Agoncillo, BS
Noreen Haren, MPH
Darlene Chavis
Leila H. Borowsky, MPH
Elizabeth M. Yano, PhD
Peter Jensen, MD
Michael S. Simberkoff, MD
Samuel A. Bozzette, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-03-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue 3/2007
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-006-0028-9

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Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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