Knowledge of HIV serostatus is the first step to accessing treatment, reducing transmission, and mitigating public health challenges. We describe the expansion of an HIV point-of-care testing (POCT) program within a health care system utilizing pharmacists as testers. The testing program’s expansion is detailed and its impact assessed. The POCT program was evaluated by comparing the number of traditional HIV venipuncture tests to the number of POCTs performed across the health system as well as comparing the number of POCTs performed by clinical pharmacists to the number of tests at other POCT locations. Although pharmacists’ contributions to HIV prevention are well documented, pharmacists’ involvement in HIV testing initiatives is still nascent. Our POCT program demonstrates an effective HIV testing initiative driven by pharmacists and other health care providers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV surveillance: United States, 1981-2008. MMWR. 2011;60(21):689–693.
2.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings. MMWR. 2006;55(RR-14):1–17.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results of the expanded HIV testing initiative: 25 jurisdictions, United States, 2007-2010. MMWR. 2011;60(24):805–810.
5.
Florida Department of Health. Broward County Health Department: data and statistics. browardchd.org/datastatistics.aspx. Accessed March 29, 2013.
6.
Franco-ParedesCTellezIdel RioC. Rapid HIV testing: a review of the literature and implications for the clinician. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2006;3(4):159–165.
7.
CastelADMagnusMPetersonJ. Implementing a novel citywide rapid HIV testing campaign in Washington, D.C.: findings and lessons learned. Public Health Rep. 2012;127(4):422–431.
8.
AnayaHDHoangTGoldenJF. Improving HIV screening and receipt of results by nurse-initiated streamlined counseling and rapid testing. J Gen Intern Med. 2008;23(6):800–807.
9.
AnayaHDBokhourBFeldJ. Implementation of routine rapid HIV testing within U.S. department of veterans affairs healthcare system. J Healthc Qual. 2012;34(5):7–14.
10.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rapid HIV testing in emergency departments – three U.S. sites, January 2005-March 2006. MMWR. 2007;56(24):597–601.
11.
KendrickSDKrocKAWithumD. Outcomes of offering rapid point-of-care HIV testing in a sexually transmitted disease clinic. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005;38(2):142–146.
12.
KnappHAnayaHDFeldJE. Launching nurse-initiated HIV rapid testing in Veterans Affairs primary care: a comprehensive overview of a self-sustaining implementation. Int J STD AIDS. 2011;22(12):734–737.
13.
WalenskyRPReichmannWMArbelaezC. Counselor- versus provider-based HIV screening in the emergency department: results from the universal screening for HIV infection in the emergency room (USHER) randomized controlled trial. Ann Emerg Med. 2011;58(1 suppl 1):S126–S132.
14.
WhiteDAETranTDideumPJ. Physician-initiated rapid HIV testing in an urban emergency department: comparison of testing using a point-of-care versus a laboratory model. Ann Emerg Med. 2011;58(1 suppl 1):S53–S59.
15.
DeasCMcCreeDH. Pharmacists and HIV/AIDS prevention: review of the literature. J Am Pharm Assoc2010;50(3):411–415.
16.
Van der WaltESummersRS.Views of general practitioners and pharmacists on the role of the pharmacist in HIV/AIDS management. SA Fam Pract. 2006;48(7):14–14d.
17.
LutnickACasePKralAH. Injection drug users’ perspectives on placing HIV prevention and other clinical services in pharmacy settings. J Urban Health. 2012;89(2):354–364.
18.
CalderonYCowanEVellozaJ. Assessing HIV testing in community pharmacies as a complementary community site to an HIV testing and counseling program based in a New York City emergency department. Paper presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Boston, Massachusetts; 2011.
19.
AmnestSBlaneySCrawfordND. Pharmacy staff characteristics associated with support for pharmacy-based HIV testing. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2012;52(4):472–479.
20.
DonaldsonMSullivanJNorbeckA. Comparison of International Normalized Ratios provided by two point-of-care devices and laboratory-based venipuncture in a pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinic. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2010;67(19):1616–1622.
21.
AmrusoNA. Ability of clinical pharmacists in a community pharmacy setting to manage anticoagulation therapy. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2004;44(4):467–471.
22.
TsuyukiRTJohnsonJATeoKK. A randomized trial of the effect of community pharmacist intervention on cholesterol risk management. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162(10):1149–1155.
