HIV Testing and Linkage to Care in Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Settings
This toolkit was designed to address the critical need for early detection and timely treatment of HIV in the Emergency Department. Emergency departments serve as a point of contact for many individuals who may not regularly access primary healthcare, making them an ideal setting for HIV screening. By providing standardized protocols and resources, the toolkit aims to increase the uptake of HIV testing, reduce barriers to diagnosis, and facilitate immediate linkage to care. This initiative is essential for improving health outcomes, reducing transmission rates, and ensuring that individuals diagnosed with HIV receive the appropriate treatment and support, ultimately contributing to broader public health goals.
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:
- Explain why Emergency Departments (EDs) are critical points for HIV testing and the importance of routine HIV testing in these settings
- Describe strategies for HIV screening in EDs.
- Identify the role of peer support and community health workers in enhancing HIV care and facilitating linkage to care.
- Describe the importance of ED collaboration with public health and local HIV networks and best practices for data sharing and confidentiality.
- Identify common barriers to linkage to care and strategies to overcome them.
