A new study has shown that HIV was detected in Hamilton County by a screening program at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Emergency Department.The study was published by PLOS ONE.According to Michael Lyons MD, associate professor at the UC College of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine, the results of the study demonstrate that UC contributes to public health surveillance. This is yet another reason why emergency rooms should screen for undiagnosed HIV infection.Lyons states that emergency department screening is an important aspect of health care. "By diagnosing patients as soon as possible, it is possible to make changes in one's behavior and prevent others from spreading the disease. Also, treatment can be provided that will improve their health and make them less infectious.In the United States, there has been an increase in HIV cases among injectors since 2015. This study revealed that 20% of all HIV diagnoses in the region were made at this one testing center during a time of rapid HIV infection growth.In 1998, UC established an Early Intervention Program (EIP), which was the first of its kind in the nation. The EIP provides HIV prevention counseling, testing, and linkage to care. It also offers many other services that can be used to help individuals.Lyons states that everyone understands the importance of early HIV diagnosis for both individuals and public health. "Everybody knows that the data from a screening goes into surveillance systems. This study shows that surveillance can be a positive public health outcome. It was a key component in triggering a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigation and planning response. This doesn't mean that we have solved the public health problem. However, your chances of helping are much greater if there is information about the crisis.A blood test or oral swab is used to screen. The most popular screening method is the blood test. A sample of the patient is taken and sent to the laboratory. Results are usually returned within 90 minutes. The emergency staff will follow up with the patient after they have been discharged. All positive results are notified to the health department for surveillance purposes and to facilitate referral services and partner counseling.Lyons states that the screening program at UC follows a variety of program models. The department has health promotion advocates, who are paid by the government and assist with screening. The electronic health record also has integrated screening workflows that allow providers and nurses to request testing.Lyons and other researchers hope that this study has an impact on both public health policy and the frequency of HIV screenings in emergency rooms across the country.Lyons says that Lyons hopes policymakers and public health officials continue to recognize that it is crucial to understand disease epidemiology using surveillance data in order to fight infectious diseases. That emergency department data is also very important for those surveillance efforts. "I hope that emergency departments will be more motivated to expand HIV screening, given their role in monitoring epidemiology trends that guide public health response.The study authors were representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ohio Department of Health and Hamilton County Public Health.###
