Ethical concerns in HIV testing.
I conducted a retrospective chart review of all HIV antibody test requests received in the laboratory of a community hospital. Despite guidelines calling for pre-test counseling and informed consent, only one test request noted patient consent. Less than 40% documented a physician's order. This article reviews guidelines and suggests ways to improve practice.
MacPherson
D W
DW
Out-Patient Services in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, Ont.
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D003219:Confidentiality; D003376:Counseling / Q000592:standards*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008485:Medical Audit; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies