SELECTED GOOD PRACTICE REMINDERS

Protocol for Rapid ART Initiation

  • Ensure that patients with a reactive HIV antibody screening test that is pending confirmation understand the benefits of rapid ART initiation, as well as the following:
    • Reactive screening test results are not formally diagnostic, because false-positive results are still possible.
    • A confirmatory (diagnostic) HIV test will be performed.
    • ART will be discontinued if the confirmatory test result is negative and continued if it is positive.
    • The benefit of starting ART early, after a presumptive positive screening test, outweighs the negligible risk of taking ART for a few days and then stopping it if confirmed HIV negative.
  • Provide the result of the confirmatory HIV test as soon as it is available; discontinue ART if the result is negative and reinforce adherence and next steps if it is positive.
  • If a patient declines rapid ART initiation, discuss options for deferral of ART initiation, link the patient with HIV primary care, and outline next steps.

From: Rapid ART Initiation

Cover of Rapid ART Initiation
Rapid ART Initiation [Internet].
Radix AE, Fine SM, Vail RM, et al.
Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins University; 2023 Feb.
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