A national review of assessment and monitoring of HIV-infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
The British HIV Association (BHIVA) audit subcommittee aimed to survey UK clinic policy and practice regarding baseline assessment and immunization of newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients, and frequency of follow-up and testing in established patients in the UK.


METHODS
UK centres providing HIV care were requested to complete an online survey between October 2006 and March 2007.


RESULTS
111 centres participated in the survey. 89.2% of centres routinely performed baseline HIV resistance testing. 99% of centres had a policy of routine screening for hepatitis B. Only 91% of centres were routinely offering a sexual health screen at diagnosis. Frequency of routine follow-up for patients not requiring antiretroviral therapy (ART) and stable on ART varied between three and six months.


CONCLUSIONS
This review showed variations in practice regarding the post diagnosis assessment and routine monitoring of HIV patients. It is of concern that not all centres perform baseline HIV resistance testing. It has also been noted that hepatitis B vaccination is not being offered to non-immune patients at diagnosis. Less frequent follw-up of stable patients (both on and off ART) should allow resources to be focussed on those with specific clinical needs.
Lomax
N
N
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK. nicola.lomax@uhBristol.nhs.uk
Curtis
H
H
Johnson
M
M
D054869:Clinical Audit; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015497:HIV-1; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology