Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for HIV counseling, testing, and referral: critical role of and a call to action for emergency physicians☆
Received 16 July 2003; received in revised form 12 January 2004; accepted 13 January 2004.
Abstract
Although the rate of new cases of HIV infection has been relatively stable during the past decade, it remains unacceptably high, with 40,000 individuals newly infected each year. In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued revised guidelines for HIV counseling, testing, and referral directed toward promoting further reduction of HIV acquisition and transmission. The guidelines give explicit emphasis to the role of emergency physicians, according to recognition that the emergency department (ED) represents the only source of medical care for many patients and often serves as the primary site for routine health care to communities at risk for HIV. Despite the time and practical limitations inherent in ED practice, many studies suggest that routine HIV counseling, testing, and referral in the ED may be feasible and effective. This article reviews those studies in the context of the most up-to-date CDC HIV counseling, testing, and referral guidelines.
From the Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
Address for reprints: Richard E. Rothman, MD, PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 6-100, Baltimore, MD 21205; 410-614-5933, fax 410-502-8881
☆ Dr. Rothman served as a consultant for the CDC for a teleconference on HIV counseling, testing, and referral in the fall of 2002, as well as an advisor/consultant for preparation of this review.
ABSTRACT