HIV Testing at Home?

HIV testing rates were threefold higher in high-risk emergency department patients given take-home tests than in controls.

Many patients at highest risk for contracting HIV do not have regular medical care and may be unable to access outpatient HIV testing sites. The emergency department (ED) has, in much of the U.S., become an important site for HIV screening (NEJM JW Emerg Med Mar 2018 and Ann Emerg Med 2018; 72:29). However, EDs are crowded, and visits may present problems (e.g., privacy, cost, transportation) for patients needing testing. Enter at-home HIV testing.

In this single-ED study, 100 high-risk patients who tested negative for HIV were randomized to receive either a take-home test kit or a brochure on the importance of regular repeated HIV testing (control group). The home-test group also received instructions on test interpretation and next steps i…

Reviewing Author

Lauren M. Westafer, DO, MPH, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Emergency Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAcademy for Academic Women in Emergency Medicine (Social Media Chair)

Lauren M. Westafer, DO, MPH, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Emergency Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAcademy for Academic Women in Emergency Medicine (Social Media Chair)

HIV Testing at Home?

Topics

Reviewing Author