Benefits of a rapid HIV test for evaluation of the source patient after occupational exposure of healthcare workers

J Hosp Infect. 2004 Jun;57(2):179-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2004.03.004.

Abstract

Rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for the management of occupational exposure of healthcare workers significantly decreased the number of anti-retroviral post-exposure prophylaxis regimens started whilst awaiting HIV test results. The study confirmed an equivalent performance of the rapid test in comparison with HIV enzyme immunoassay, and suggests it is cost-effective. In addition, two other potential benefits emerged: reducing the number of source patients who remain untested and increasing the number of occupational exposures reported.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis / economics
  • AIDS Serodiagnosis / methods*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / economics
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / economics
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / statistics & numerical data
  • Blood-Borne Pathogens / isolation & purification*
  • Chemoprevention / statistics & numerical data
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine* / classification
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine* / economics
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / enzymology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques / economics
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques / methods*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Italy
  • Lamivudine / economics
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Zidovudine / economics
  • Zidovudine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Lamivudine
  • Zidovudine