A Gruslin1, A Salvador, M Dekker, D Menard-de Varennes, E Eason. 1. Division Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Dept. Obstetrics/Gynecology and Newborn Care, Rm. 8420, Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6. agruslin@ottawahospital.on.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Strategies are available to reduce maternal-fetal transmission of HIV and depend on adequate prenatal screening. At present, a significant proportion of Canadian pregnant women remain unscreened. We reviewed our screening practices before and after the implementation of a departmental policy on universal counselling for HIV screening and the distribution of a patient educational brochure developed at our centre (interventions). METHODS: Charts of all new antenatal patients seen during February-April in 1996 (n = 186) and 1998 (n = 212) were reviewed. Maternal demographics and evidence of HIV counselling and screening were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Following our interventions, HIV counselling and screening rates increased from 13% to 72%. Patient acceptance of testing was high. The majority of missed opportunities for HIV testing were patients transferred urgently from other institutions. CONCLUSION: HIV counselling and screening can be improved by implementation of local strategies. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach in a tertiary care unit.
OBJECTIVE: Strategies are available to reduce maternal-fetal transmission of HIV and depend on adequate prenatal screening. At present, a significant proportion of Canadian pregnant women remain unscreened. We reviewed our screening practices before and after the implementation of a departmental policy on universal counselling for HIV screening and the distribution of a patient educational brochure developed at our centre (interventions). METHODS: Charts of all new antenatal patients seen during February-April in 1996 (n = 186) and 1998 (n = 212) were reviewed. Maternal demographics and evidence of HIV counselling and screening were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Following our interventions, HIV counselling and screening rates increased from 13% to 72%. Patient acceptance of testing was high. The majority of missed opportunities for HIV testing were patients transferred urgently from other institutions. CONCLUSION: HIV counselling and screening can be improved by implementation of local strategies. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach in a tertiary care unit.
Authors: Mark Downing; Laura Youden; Beth A Halperin; Heather Scott; Bruce Smith; Scott A Halperin Journal: Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 2.471
Authors: Robert S Remis; Maraki Fikre Merid; Robert W H Palmer; Elaine Whittingham; Susan M King; Natasha S Danson; Lee Vernich; Carol Swantee; Carol Major Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-09 Impact factor: 3.240