Linkage-to-care Methods and Rates in U.S. Emergency Department-based HIV Testing Programs: A Systematic Literature Review Brief Report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An increasing number of U.S. emergency departments (EDs) have implemented ED-based HIV testing programs since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued revised HIV testing recommendations for clinical settings in 2006. In 2010, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) set an linkage-to-care (LTC) rate goal of 85% within 90 days of HIV diagnosis. LTC rates for newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients vary markedly by site, and many are suboptimal. The optimal approach for LTC in the ED setting remains unknown.

Objective

The objective was to perform a brief descriptive analysis of the LTC methods practiced in EDs across the United States to determine the overall linkage rate of ED-based HIV testing programs.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of l

SUBMITTER: Menon AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4938722 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature