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HIV Testing and GuidanceMore HIV Testing and Guidance Information:
Why Get an HIV Test? Conventional & Rapid HIV Testing CDC Revised Testing Guidelines IHS Guidance Tools/Resources Training IHS Guidance
Tribal Efforts
Written consent for HIV testing All patients require informed consent for HIV testing. However the CDC revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents in health care settings do not require specific or separate written consent for HIV testing. Part of the recommendations state that opt-out testing should be used whenever possible. Opt-out means no specific or separate written consent is needed for HIV testing; general consent for medical care should be considered sufficient documentation of consent for HIV testing. IHS Guidance
State laws Given the changing landscape of State laws and health policy on HIV testing, the IHS defers to State laws on HIV testing. Please check with your individual States to determine if their HIV testing laws are consistent with CDC and IHS recommendations. There may be differences in State law on written consent, counseling requirements, testing of minors, and other aspects of HIV testing. Each Service Unit should check State laws prior to expanding HIV testing policy. However, some Tribes have opted to issue Tribal resolutions to implement HIV testing guidelines they find most suitable for their own community. The University of California, San Francisco offers a website to compare State laws. This site is very helpful; however please additionally contact each State individually for the most current information. Laws and policy change frequently with regard to HIV testing. Counseling requirements for HIV testing The CDC counseling guidelines do not require prevention, pre- or post-test counseling for routine HIV testing. However, just as with any other health condition, counseling remains an important part of care. While providers may deem some patients only need routine counseling, other patients may require in-depth prevention counseling or discussions and referral to support services. IHS Guidance
Ensure that patients can be counseled and offered HIV testing in a setting where other providers or patients cannot overhear the consultation. For routine testing (not high-risk), more streamlined counseling is supported. As stated, counseling remains critical given the opportunity or appropriate circumstances and risk. |
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