[HIV-STD-Prevention] Clarification on Opt-out HIV, STI, and Hepatitis Testing in Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Clinics #u#

[Pearson Shelley M]

Dear HIV/STI prevention partners,

Thank you for your feedback on the recent HAN on opt-out HIV, STI, and hepatitis testing in emergency departments and urgent care clinics.
We have incorporated your feedback into a "Clarification on opt-out HIV, STI, and hepatitis testing in emergency departments and urgent care clinics" (attached to this email).
Because we received feedback that re-sending a statewide HAN may cause confusion, we've drafted a letter that you can share with your local emergency departments, urgent care clinics, health systems, and other partners.

Please continue to prioritize HIV, STI, and hepatitis cases according to current state and local guidelines.  If needed, please reach out to the OHA HIV and STD Program for assistance in prioritizing HIV, STI, or hepatitis cases particularly those reported from emergency departments and urgent care clinics.

The current recommendations for opt-out HIV, STI, and hepatitis testing featured prominently in a prior HAN on the deadly resurgence of congenital syphilis<https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/HIVSTDVIRALHEPATITIS/SEXUALLYTRANSMITTEDDISEASE/Documents/Increasing_Congenital_Syphilis_in_Oregon.pdf> due to many missed opportunities for the prevention of syphilitic stillbirths among pregnant people who made multiple visits to the emergency department.

Consider reviewing California emergency departments' experiences with opt-out HIV testing<https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/CDPH%20Document%20Library/AB_2439_Report.ADA.pdf> and recommendations for opt-out HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis testing<https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/DCL-Opt-Out-ED-HIV-HCV-and-Syphilis-Screening.pdf> with your CD and HIV/STI teams and Health Officers. The emergency department at the University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center successfully implemented syphilis<https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0033354920967302> testing as well.

Thank you for your dedicated partnership in addressing HIV, STI, and hepatitis in Oregon.  As always, please reach out to me or the OHA STD Program for any concerns, questions, or feedback.

tim

Tim W. Menza, MD, PhD
Pronouns: he/they

Medical Director
HIV/STD/TB Section | Public Health Division
OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Assistant Professor
Division of Infectious Diseases | Department of Medicine
Oregon Health & Science University

Mobile: 503-358-3377
Email: timothy.w.menza at oha.oregon.gov<mailto:timothy.w.menza at oha.oregon.gov>


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