Implementation of Routine HIV Testing in Health Care Settings: Issues for Community Health Centers

This report discusses community health centers (CHCs) in routine HIV testing consistent with the 2006 recommendations issued by CDC. It explains why it is important for CHCs to routinely offer HIV testing and provides general protocol elements for facility-based HIV testing, such as ensuring confidentiality, implementing alternatives to opt-out HIV testing, testing alternatives and procedures, encouraging patients to return if a confirmatory HIV test is performed, and providing test results to patients. It also covers HIV post-test counseling, including delivering results to persons with negative and positive results, dealing with immediate clinical management issues, matching patients with appropriate medical care, making referrals to support services, disclosure and partner services, reporting HIV/AIDS cases and other applicable laws and regulations. It also provides information on where CHCs can find technical assistance and other resources.