Table 1: Demographics of patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection. (N=99) Male 68 (69%) Race/Ethnicity African-American 77 (78%) White 16 (16%) Other 2 (2%) Unknown 4 (4%) Mean Age at Diagnosis (in years) [Range] 39 [19 to 61] Insurance (any) 23 (23%) Medicaid 17 (17%) Medicare 2 (2%) Private 1 (1%) Medicaid and Medicare 3 (3%) Free Care at ILPH 1 34 (34%) Medical Care Through Prison 5 (5%) No Insurance 37 (37%) Risk Behavior (any) 37 (37%) Unprotected Heterosexual Contact 30 (30%) Intravenous Drug Use 8 (8%) Homosexual Contact 4 (4%) Commercial Sex Worker 1 (1%) Risk Factors (any) 60 (61%) Drug Use (non-IV) 53 (54%) Homelessness 9 (9%) Mental Illness 13 (13%) Unemployed 12 (12%) History of Imprisonment 11 (11%) History of an STD 26 (26%) History of Alcohol Use 58 (59%) Tobacco Use 62 (63%)
ILPH = Interim Louisiana Public Hospital New Orleans; IV = Intravenous; STD = Sexually Transmitted Disease
1 ”free care” is a program through the hospital that provides care to qualified indigent patients in Louisiana
of ILPH. The Louisiana Office of Public Health provided the funding for the rapid HIV screening tests, and the tests were performed in the blood bank of ILPH. The test was available 24 hours a day and was performed by a trained laboratory technician. Patients were offered the test at triage and given a form to complete. The formwas simple and in- cluded the reason for the visit, asked about known medical problems, and specifically asked HIV status and whether
the patient would like an HIV test. Those opting in for a test were given a handout about HIV screening. Prior to discharge from the emergency room rapid test results, were provided to the patient. Patients with a negative result were given their results, and the handout was reviewed. Patients with positive results were counseled and advised they were preliminarily positive, and information regarding outpatient follow-up was provided. The results were discussed by the
J La State Med Soc VOL 166 January/February 2014 29
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