HIV Testing 2012

Effective 7/31/12, please note the following new process changes for ordering HIV tests:  

Inpatient:

• When ordering in POE, you will be prompted to indicate that you have obtained verbal consent from the patient or provide the name of another provider that obtained verbal consent.   POE Prompt for Verbal HIV Testing Consent

• Use the current HIV lab requisition.  Patient and provider signatures are not required.

Outpatient:

•  Use the current HIV requisition.  Patient and provider signatures are not required.

• Please note: we are currently revising the HIV requisition form to reflect the fact that written consent is no longer required.  Until changes are implemented, clinicians obtaining the patient’s VERBAL consent for HIV testing should document the fact that the patient has agreed to HIV testing in the patient’s medical record.

• As with any clinical test, it is good practice to document why the test is being ordered.

Exception:  ALL Occupational Health exposures (Inpatient and Outpatient) will require the current lab slip/consent form and will still need both MD and patient signatures on it.  No changes for now.

Supporters of this legislation believe that more people will get testing for HIV by removing the written consent requirement.  Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention favor verbal consent, and other states use verbal consent for HIV testing.  Strong confidentiality protections remain in place around HIV tests, and any other medical test that a patient may have.  Caregivers must still obtain written patient consent to disclose HIV test results to individuals other than the patient, although the Department of Public Health has also made it clear that disclosure to other providers within a facility involved in the care of the patient may be made without such consent.  

For further information, please contact:

Rajesh Gandhi, M.D., Infectious Disease Unit, 617-726-8403

Rochelle Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., Infectious Disease Unit, 617-724-3467

 Health Information Services:  617-726-2465

Thank you,