Article Text
Abstract
Background BASHH introduced “UK National Guideline for HIV testing 2008” recommending universal HIV testing in GUM or sexual health clinics, antenatal and termination of pregnancy services. Early identification HIV positive persons help to reduce further transmission of HIV infection to others and allow referring them to appropriate services for further treatment.
Aims and Objectives The audit was undertaken to identify compliance of local sexual health clinic, antenatal and TOP services with “UK National Guideline for HIV testing 2008”. To establish uptake of HIV test by patients accessing Sexual Health Clinic, Antenatal and TOP services in Dumfries between 1st January and 30th June 2011 and give recommendations according to findings.
Methods Retrospective audit of electronic patients' records of all persons accessing the local sexual health clinic in relation to STI issues, pregnant women attending antenatal clinic, patients receiving TOP service care between 1st January and 30th June 2011.
Results From 844 episodes of care in sexual health clinic, HIV test performed in 400 (47%) episodes. 511 women attended antenatal clinic and 507 (99.2%) of them had HIV test. From 42 patients having TOP, 6 (14.2%) women had HIV test.
Discussion Not all patients might have been offered the HIV test in sexual health clinic. TOP service does not offer the HIV test routinely.
Recommendations Sexual health clinic should offer HIV test to all patients accessing their service and document in patients' medical records that the HIV test was offered. When patients decline the HIV test, reasons for declining have to be documented. TOP service should update their local TOP guideline instructing their nurses, midwives and doctors to offer HIV test to all patients accessing their services. To present findings of the audit to medical staff at local, regional and national levels. To conduct re-audit in 3–6 months once changes have been implemented.