title: Experiences Implementing a Routine HIV Screening Program in Two Federally Qualified Health Centers in the Southern United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The southern United States is highly affected by HIV, and community health centers play a key role in addressing the health-care needs of residents of southern cities. In 2012, Southside Medical Care Services ("Southside") in Atlanta, Georgia, and Central Care Community Health Center ("Central Care") in Houston, Texas, began comprehensive programs for routine HIV screening and linkage to HIV care.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined patient-level testing outcomes using medical record-derived data. We also compared the total number of HIV tests and HIV-positive tests in the most recent 12 months of the program with the number of HIV tests and HIV-positive tests during the 12 months prior to the program start.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Southside saw 52,437 eligible patients from June 2012 through April 2014; 41,720 (80%) were offered an HIV test, 11,092 (27% of those offered a test) were tested, 75 (0.7% of those tested) had a positive result, and 74 (99% of those with a positive result) were linked to HIV care. Compared with the 12 months prior to the start of routine HIV screening implementation, Southside's routine HIV screening program conducted 5,955 more HIV tests (733% increase) and had 31 more patients who tested positive (238% increase). Central Care saw 22,658 eligible patients from July 2012 to April 2014; 10,904 (48%) were offered an HIV test, 9,909 (91% of those offered a test) were tested, 52 (0.5% of those tested) had a positive result, and 41 (79% of those with a positive result) were linked to HIV care. Compared with the 12 months before routine HIV screening was implemented, Central Care's routine HIV screening program conducted 4,559 more HIV tests (618% increase) and had 36 more patients who tested positive (600% increase).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Southside and Central Care effectively implemented routine HIV screening programs that dramatically increased their testing volume while also linking the majority of HIV-positive patients to care. Other community health centers should consider similar programs.
authors: Southside Medical Center, Inc., Atlanta, GA.
authors: Natasha S
authors: NS
authors: Crumby
authors: Central Care Community Health Center, Inc., Houston, TX.
authors: Erica
authors: E
authors: Arrezola
authors: Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors: Emily H
authors: EH
authors: Brown
authors: Southside Medical Center, Inc., Atlanta, GA.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Brazzeal
authors: Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors: Travis H
authors: TH
authors: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult