Implementing Routine HIV Testing and Prevention in a Primary Care Setting

Author

Michelle Bassett, Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2019

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Amelia Perez PhD

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Kim White, DNP

Keywords

HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, testing, primary care setting, prevention, education, barriers to testing, PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis, history, surveillance and epidemiology

Abstract

Evidenced-based research has identified that routine HIV testing and education is pivotal in identifying new infections, providing access to treatment, and decreasing the rates of transmission. In 2006, the CDC implemented new guidelines recommending that all persons aged 13-64 years be tested yearly for HIV regardless of risk factors. Despite these recommendations, the CDC estimated that less than 37% of people were tested in 2017 and in the years prior. In this project, a protocol for routine testing and education was developed and implemented in a private Southern Illinois primary care practice. Providers and staff were educated on HIV and routine HIV testing, and they were, then, surveyed regarding their perceptions on HIV, HIV testing, and barriers to offering testing. Overall, providers agreed that HIV testing is important, but they felt that time constraints and cost prevent them from regularly offering HIV testing during routine visits. Evaluation follow up 6 months post-implementation revealed that rates of routine HIV testing at this clinic increased from 0.9% to 1.7%. Further follow up would be needed to evaluate long-term impact of this protocol. Expanding this project to other practices may be helpful in improving overall HIV health outcomes.

Recommended Citation

Bassett, Michelle, "Implementing Routine HIV Testing and Prevention in a Primary Care Setting" (2019). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 46.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/46

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