Implementation of PrEP Protocol in Primary Care

Author

Myia HarperFollow
Catalina WestFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2022

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Annie Imboden

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Kay Gaehle

Keywords

HIV, PrEP, Protocol, Primary Care, Provider Education

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an incurable condition that continues to be a public health threat. Approximately 38 million people live with the disease worldwide, and one out of seven are unaware they have the disease. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that can be prescribed to individuals at risk of acquiring HIV. PrEP can be prescribed by any healthcare provider who deems a patient at risk for HIV. However, a primary care practice in central Illinois previously had no protocol for initiation of PrEP. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to implement a PrEP protocol in the department of internal medicine and optimize PrEP uptake. The project methods included an educational meeting, packet, brochures, and PrEP protocol. The project was evaluated utilizing the pre-and post-intervention. Overall, among the three providers who completed both pre-and post-intervention surveys, there was an increase in the familiarity and comfort of prescribing PrEP after the intervention. In addition, there was an increase that indicated a higher possibility of the providers not referring patients to infectious diseases for PrEP. The knowledge assessment of the providers did show an increase for the nurse practitioner but not the other two respondents, which indicates further education could be beneficial to the providers. The project's future goals in the primary care office are to increase uptake of prescribing PrEP to patients who are high-risk for HIV and eventually open a designated clinic day just for PrEP patients.

Recommended Citation

Harper, Myia and West, Catalina, "Implementation of PrEP Protocol in Primary Care" (2022). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 221.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/221

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