A system-wide intervention to improve HIV testing in the Veterans Health Administration

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of identifying and treating asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals are firmly established, health care providers often miss opportunities to offer HIV-testing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a multi-component intervention increases the rate of HIV diagnostic testing. DESIGN: Pre- to post-quasi-experiment in 5 Veterans Health Administration facilities. Two facilities received the intervention; the other three facilities were controls. The intervention included a real-time electronic clinical reminder that encourages HIV testing, and feedback reports and a provider activation program. PATIENTS: Persons receiving health care between August 2004 and September 2006 who were at risk but had not been previously tested for HIV infection MEASUREMENTS: Pre- to post-changes in the rates of HIV testing at the intervention and control facilities RESULTS: At the two intervention sites, the adjusted rate of testing increased from 4.8% to 10.8% and from 5.5% to 12.8% (both comparisons, p