Role of infection control practitioners in human immunodeficiency virus testing. APIC Bloodborne Pathogens Committee

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Public Health Policy
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The HIV epidemic significantly altered the responsibilities of Infection Control Professionals (ICPs).
• Acute care facilities developed policies for patient and healthcare worker (HCW) HIV testing and managing HIV-infected HCWs.
• The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) surveyed ICPs to understand their roles and institutional policies regarding HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess ICP involvement in HIV testing and counseling for patients and HCWs.
• To determine the prevalence of routine patient HIV testing.
• To understand institutional policies on HIV testing and the management of HIV-infected HCWs.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was distributed in 1990 to ICPs in a random sample of 1300 acute care hospitals in the United States.
• The survey targeted ICPs to gather data on their involvement and institutional practices.

Main Results:

• The response rate was 52.8% (686 respondents).
• 54.8% of respondents provided counseling to HCWs post-exposure.
• ICPs were involved in policy development, patient/HCW testing and counseling, and individual case evaluation for HIV-positive caregivers (61.5%).
• Most facilities (73.8%) required written patient consent for testing after employee exposure.

Conclusions:

• ICPs significantly contribute to the development and implementation of institutional policies concerning HIV testing, counseling, and management of infected workers.
• Findings highlight the necessity for APIC to offer educational programs on HIV testing and counseling issues.