A national survey of HIV testing in intensive care: Moving forwards

Abstract

There is currently no accepted national guideline for HIV testing in intensive care. This survey aimed to determine current HIV testing practices and attitudes to testing in English ICUs. The response rate was 44% from 120 units. There was a wide variation in testing practices in the absence of any ICU-specific HIV testing guidelines. Only 9% of units had written guidelines, and none of the units tested for all HIV-indicator diseases. A majority of units (57%) felt that GMC guidance should be changed to allow universal testing, and almost all (92%) felt that the patient should be tested when a member of staff experienced a needlestick injury. The authors suggest that there is a need for national HIV testing guidelines specific to intensive care. © The Intensive Care Society 2012.