The Role of Rapid vs Conventional Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing for Inpatients

Abstract

Rapid HIV testing in the emergency department preceding admission may shorten hospital stay, increase the number of newly diagnosed patients with HIV who are discharged from the hospital aware of their HIV status, and improve entry into outpatient care for patients admitted at the time of their initial HIV diagnosis.

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.…”

Routine rapid HIV testing in hospitals: Another opportunity for hospitalists to improve care

“…23 Though it was not designed as a cost analysis, the length of stay of the group that received the rapid test was 7 days shorter than that of the group that received the conventional test (6 vs. 13 days; P Ͻ .001), with type of HIV testing used identified as an independent effect on length of stay in multivariate regression analysis.…”