Pharmacist testers in multidisciplinary health care team expand HIV point-of-care testing program

Abstract

Knowledge of HIV serostatus is the first step to accessing treatment, reducing transmission, and mitigating public health challenges. We describe the expansion of an HIV point-of-care testing (POCT) program within a health care system utilizing pharmacists as testers. The testing program's expansion is detailed and its impact assessed. The POCT program was evaluated by comparing the number of traditional HIV venipuncture tests to the number of POCTs performed across the health system as well as comparing the number of POCTs performed by clinical pharmacists to the number of tests at other POCT locations. Although pharmacists' contributions to HIV prevention are well documented, pharmacists' involvement in HIV testing initiatives is still nascent. Our POCT program demonstrates an effective HIV testing initiative driven by pharmacists and other health care providers.