Human immunodeficiency virus testing for elective orthopedic procedures: results in a community-based hospital

Between January 1, 1989 and July 31, 1995, voluntary preoperative screening tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, were completed on 2,727 patients who underwent elective orthopedic surgical procedures. There were 2,719 (99.7%) negative, 4 (0.15%) positive, and 3 (0.11%) false-positive results; 1 test was indeterminate (0.04%). All 4 positive patients were men with a mean age of 32 years (range: 26-43 years). Although the prevalence of positive tests is low in this setting, voluntary testing alerts the surgeon to higher risk patients, does not sacrifice patient care, and enables the incorporation of more extensive precautionary measures in the operating room to minimize occupational risks to the surgical team.