Greater HIV testing after Veterans Health Administration policy change: The experience from a VA medical center in a high HIV prevalence area

Authors

Seema U. Nayak, VA Medical Center
Meredith L. Welch, VA Medical Center
Virginia L. Kan, VA Medical Center

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2012

Journal

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Volume

60

Issue

2

DOI

10.1097/QAI.0b013e318251aefe

Keywords

HIV screening percentage; HIV testing; HIV testing percentage; HIV testing policy; Prevalence; Routine HIV screening

Abstract

Veterans Health Administration changed its HIV testing policy to remove requirements for written informed consent with pretest/posttest counseling and to make testing part of routine care in August 2009. HIV testing percentages were compared for 1-year periods before and after this change at our medical center located in Washington, DC, the city with the highest US HIV prevalence. After this policy change, HIV screening rose from 5.5% to 10.3% of persons in care with the majority of testing in outpatient settings and the greatest increase among veterans aged 61-70. Broadening of HIV testing has significance for HIV detection and prevention. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

APA Citation

Nayak, S., Welch, M., & Kan, V. (2012). Greater HIV testing after Veterans Health Administration policy change: The experience from a VA medical center in a high HIV prevalence area. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 60 (2). http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0b013e318251aefe