title: Improving HIV screening and receipt of results by nurse-initiated streamlined counseling and rapid testing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV testing is cost-effective in unselected general medical populations, yet testing rates among those at risk remain low, even among those with regular primary care. HIV rapid testing is effective in many healthcare settings, but scant research has been done within primary care settings or within the US Department of Veteran's Affairs Healthcare System.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated three methods proven effective in other diseases/settings: nurse standing orders for testing, streamlined counseling, and HIV rapid testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled trial with three intervention models: model A (traditional counseling/testing); model B (nurse-initiated screening, traditional counseling/testing); model C (nurse-initiated screening, streamlined counseling/rapid testing).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred fifty-one patients with primary/urgent care appointments in two VA clinics in the same city (one large urban hospital, one freestanding outpatient clinic in a high HIV prevalence area).
  
  
  METHODS
  Rates of HIV testing and receipt of results; sexual risk reduction; HIV knowledge improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Testing rates were 40.2% (model A), 84.5% (model B), and 89.3% (model C; p = <.01). Test result receipt rates were 14.6% (model A), 31.0% (model B), 79.8% (model C; all p = <.01). Sexual risk reduction and knowledge improvement did not differ significantly between counseling methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Streamlined counseling with rapid testing significantly increased testing and receipt rates over current practice without changes in risk behavior or posttest knowledge. Increased testing and receipt of results could lead to earlier disease identification, increased treatment, and reduced morbidity/mortality. Policymakers should consider streamlined counseling/rapid testing when implementing routine HIV testing into primary/urgent care.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. henry.anaya@va.gov
authors.forename: Henry D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Anaya
authors.forename: Tuyen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.forename: Joya F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: Matthew Bidwell
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gifford
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.forename: Douglas K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Gillian D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Asch
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D019090:Case Management; D019091:Critical Pathways; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic