Outcomes of Offering Rapid Point-of-Care HIV Testing in A Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic

Abstract

Rapid HIV testing was acceptable and feasible in this STD clinic and facilitated entry of newly identified HIV-infected patients into health care.

Rapid diagnostic HCV antibody assays

“…False anti-HCV-negative results from the Chembio and MedMira assays occurred more often when the specimen was from persons coinfected with HIV, similar to the findings of other studies using other assays [26][27][28]. Of the 43 HIV-positive specimens in one study, 60%…”

Field-based performance of three pre-market rapid hepatitis C virus antibody assays in STAHR (Study to Assess Hepatitis C Risk) among young adults who inject drugs in San Diego, CA

“…9 Rapid assays enable specimens to be collected and tested at the POC and do not require a follow-up visit to receive antibody test results. Just as rapid HIV testing increases the likelihood that PWID receive HIV test results 11,13,15,20 and improves access to care and health outcomes, 10,11 rapid anti-HCV assays could benefit young PWID similarly.…”

Provider and Practice Characteristics Associated with Use of Rapid HIV Testing by General Internists

“…Sensitivity and specificity of commercially available rapid tests are over 99%, 7 although specificity may be lower in actual practice. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Research has focused on use of rapid testing in episodic care settings such as emergency rooms, [11][12][13][14][15] hospitals, 16 STD clinics, 17 and jails and prisons. 9,18 In these settings, rapid testing is acceptable and associated with a reduction of loss to follow-up after a positive HIV test.…”

“…9,18 In these settings, rapid testing is acceptable and associated with a reduction of loss to follow-up after a positive HIV test. 9,16,17,19 Therefore, the CDC recommends "episodic care settings in which continuing relationships do not exist" to consider rapid testing. 1 Much less is known about primary care provider's experience with rapid HIV testing in outpatient settings.…”