Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104889

Sindy M. Paul, MD, MPH¹, Evan Cadoff, MD², Eugene Martin, PhD², Maureen Wolski¹, Lorhetta Nichol¹, Rhonda Williams¹, Phil Bruccoleri¹, Aye Maung¹, Charles Taylor¹, Rose Marie Martin, MPH¹, and Linda Berezny, RN¹. (1) Division of HIV/AIDS Services, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 363, Trenton, NJ 08625-0363, (609) 984-6191, sindy.paul@doh.state.nj.us, (2) Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08903

Background: The CDC recommends integrating HIV testing into routine care. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) funds HIV counseling and rapid testing at two federally qualified health care centers: Henry J. Austin Health Care Center in Trenton and the Plainfield Community Health Center in Plainfield.

Methods: Staff completed counseling training, rapid testing training, competency testing and passed proficiency testing. Both sites had an NJDHSS rapid testing laboratory license. Data were collected using the CDC form.

Results: Henry J. Austin started on 5/21/04 and Plainfield started on 6/1/04. Through 12/9/04, 1,171 tests have been done; with all (100%) receiving posttest counseling and results. Eleven of the 1,171 (1%) patients tested positive and 1,158 (99%) negative. Two had a preliminary positive rapid test and a negative Western blot. Of those tested 402 (34%) were male and 769 (66%) female. Both discordant cases were female. Of those testing positive: 6 were male, 5 female, 7 black, 3 hispanic, and 1 other, 4 were 20-29 years of age, 3 were 30-39 years of age, 3 were 40-49 years of age, and 1 was 50 years of age or older. The statewide average for non-rapid HIV posttest counseling was 65%.

Conclusions: Rapid testing integrates HIV counseling and testing into routine care. All patients learned their test results compared with a statewide average of 65% of patients for non-rapid HIV testing. Advantages of rapid testing include same day results, immediate entrance into treatment, and more patients knowing their HIV status.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the integration of rapid HIV testing at Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs).
• Assess if rapid HIV testing is an option for FQHCs in your area.
• Discuss the advantages of rapid HIV testing in FQHCs.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Clinical Prevention Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.