Program characteristics associated with testing for HIV and hepatitis C in veterans substance use disorder clinics.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether organizational characteristics and quality improvement initiatives were related to HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) testing rates in veterans' substance use disorders programs.


METHODS
Data were collected by surveying 232 program directors at all U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) substance use disorder programs.


RESULTS
Program directors (N=223) reported that, on average, 35% of their patients were tested for HIV (median=10%) and 57% were tested for HCV (median=80%). Of the quality improvement initiatives examined, computerized reminders to clinicians (p=.02) and a designated clinician for screening (p=.01) were positively associated with HCV testing, and computerized templates that guide clinicians through ordering of testing were positively associated with HIV testing (p=.06).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite national emphasis on HIV testing, rates of testing were lower for HIV than for HCV in programs serving veterans with substance use disorders and at risk of both illnesses. System-level quality improvement initiatives may be effective at increasing rates of infectious disease screening.
McInnes
D Keith
DK
Center for Health Quality Outcomes and Economic Research (CHQOER), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA 01730, USA. keith.mcinnes@va.gov
Hyun
Jenny K
JK
Trafton
Jodie A
JA
Asch
Steven M
SM
Gifford
Allen L
AL
D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs