Increasing Opportunities for HIV & STD Screening & Case Finding through a local Program Collaboration and Service Integration (PCSI) Work Goup

Issues: Program Collaboration and Service Integration (PCSI) was identified by the CDC's NCHHSTP in 2007 when a PCSI "green paper" was issued outlining opportunities to improve efficiency, communication, effectiveness, and accountability across programs. HIV/AIDS, STD, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis programs are of particular interest, in addition to substance abuse treatment programs, due to overlap in risk factors and populations. To better serve high-risk populations, the local performance site of PA/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) assisted the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Division of Disease Control in establishing a PCSI workgroup in May 2008. Description: One focus was increased opportunities for HIV and STD screening and case finding. To increase these opportunities, PDPH formed a PSCI workgroup to decrease silos between the HIV, STD and TB control programs, as well as the City's Office of Addiction Services. Lessons Learned: AETC conducted baseline key informant interviews and facilitated quarterly workgroup meetings to discuss PCSI, create feasible goals, report progress, and address barriers. Ongoing interviews with HIV/AIDS, STD, Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and substance abuse program staff were conducted to assess how programs were integrating. New and/or expanded programs included self-administered oral/pharyngeal gonorrhea and chlamydia screenings at HIV test sites, increased HIV and STD screenings at substance abuse treatment sites, and rapid HIV testing at the TB DOT clinic. Other results will be discussed. Recommendations: Similar local structured PCSI efforts could result in new opportunities for program collaboration and integration that can improve HIV and STD screening and case finding.