Human immunodeficiency virus antibody testing. A description of practices and policies at US infectious disease-teaching hospitals and Minnesota hospitals

Abstract

A questionnaire that asked about policies concerning the use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody tests was sent in January 1987 to the 200 hospitals in the United States that conduct infectious disease (ID) fellowship training (US ID hospitals) and to all 171 short-term-care Minnesota hospitals. Information was received from 189 of the US ID hospitals (94.5%) and from 160 (94%) of the Minnesota hospitals. Only 49% of the US ID hospitals and 37% of the Minnesota hospitals had an HIV antibody test-ordering policy; 47% of the US ID hospitals and 39% of the Minnesota hospitals had a specific educational program for physicians about the HIV antibody test; and 62% of the US ID hospitals and 41% of the Minnesota hospitals had an HIV autopsy policy. Marked variety existed in approaches to handling test results, obtaining patient consent, and providing risk-reduction information among the hospitals surveyed. These data suggest the need for a consensus on optimal use of HIV antibody testing at hospitals.

KIE: In 1987 the authors conducted a survey of practices and policies concerning human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing at 189 United States hospitals with infectious disease fellowship programs and at 160 short-term care Minnesota hospitals. The survey questions pertained to HIV antibody test ordering policies, specific physician education programs about the HIV antibody test, informed consent to testing, specific HIV antibody test consent forms, and providing patients with risk reduction information. The marked differences in the handling of test results raise concerns about confidentiality. Because of significant policy differences among hospitals revealed by the survey, the authors urge that a consensus be sought that would provide guidance on the issues raised at both state and national levels.