MMWR News Synopsis for June 26, 2014

Routine HIV Screening in Two Health-Care Settings — New York City and New Orleans, 2011–2013

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
404-639-8895
NCHHSTPMediaTeam@cdc.gov

CDC summarized data from two HIV screening programs and found that changes in processes to integrate testing in healthcare settings can increase the number of patients tested for HIV and successfully link patients to medical care. Of the 1.1 million persons living with HIV in the United States, about 16 percent are unaware of their infection, despite CDC’s recommendations that adults and adolescents age 13-64 be tested at least once as a part of routine medical care. This report describes routine testing models in two HIV screening programs – the Urban Health Plan (UHP) in New York City and the Interim Louisiana Hospital (ILH) in New Orleans – that improved screening outcomes. UHP and ILH implemented new procedures, such as instituting policy changes, integrating HIV testing into existing workflows, using electronic health records, and educating staff. As a result of these changes, UHP reported the percentage of patients tested for HIV increased from 8 percent in 2010 to 56 percent during January 2011 to September 2013. At ILH, the percentage of patients tested increased from 17 percent in 2012 to 26 percent during March to December 2013 in the Emergency Department and 3 percent to 17 percent in the Urgent Care Center. Both programs reported an increase in diagnosing patients with HIV and most patients were linked to care. These screening programs could be used as a model for other health care organizations.

Notes from the Field:

• Outbreak of Vibrio cholerae Serogroup Serotype Ogawa, Biotype El Tor Strain — La Huasteca Region, Mexico, 2013

Announcement: MMWR Express App for iPhone and iPad Now Available

A new MMWR application, MMWR Express, is now available for free download in the Apple App Store for both iPhone and iPad. This application provides fast access to the blue summary boxes in the MMWR Weekly. Summaries can be viewed by publication date or by searching for a specific subject (e.g., Salmonella). It is the first iPhone app to provide MMWR content.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES