Implementation of an Opt-Out Outpatient HIV Screening Program.

Background: Screening rates for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remain low despite guidelines by both the CDC and USPSTF recommending that all adolescents and adults be screened at least once. The aim of this quality improvement study was to increase HIV screening among eligible patients.

Methods: This quality improvement study assessed the impact of interventions to increase HIV screening in an outpatient population at a large urban safety-net hospital.

Using Machine Learning to Identify Patients at Risk of Acquiring HIV in an Urban Health System.

Background: Effective measures exist to prevent the spread of HIV. However, the identification of patients who are candidates for these measures can be a challenge. A machine learning model to predict risk for HIV may enhance patient selection for proactive outreach.

Missed Opportunities for HIV Prevention in a Large County Safety Net Health System.

Introduction: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at reducing HIV transmission. However, PrEP uptake is low for racial and ethnic minorities and women, especially in the Southern US Health care clinicians should be prepared to identify all patients eligible for PrEP, provide counseling, and prescribe PrEP.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of persons newly diagnosed with HIV was conducted at a large public health system from January 2015 to June 2021.

Implementation of Sexual Health Curriculum Series: Educational Initiative to Increase STI Screening and Treatment in Dallas, Texas.

Objective: A new monthly virtual education curriculum on sexual healthcare was launched in 2021. This is an analysis of the pilot education series designed to increase primary care providers' knowledge of sexual health best practices including taking thorough sexual histories, STI screening and treatment, and PrEP prescribing.

Methods: A Sexual Health Curriculum Series was developed as part of a quality improvement initiative at a large urban safety-net hospital in Dallas County, Texas.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Infectious Diseases Electronic COVID-19 Consultations at a Multisite Academic Health System.

Objective The need for clinicians to access Infectious Diseases (ID) consultants for clinical decision-making support increased during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Traditional ID consultations with face-to-face (FTF) patient assessments are not always possible or practical during a pandemic and involve added exposure risk and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Electronic consultations (e-consults) may provide an alternative and improve access to ID specialists during the pandemic.

PrEP University: A Multi-Disciplinary University-Based HIV Prevention Education Program.

The introduction of emtricitabine/tenofovir diphosphate (FTC/TDF) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention has raised questions regarding which clinicians will serve as prescribers and how providers will be educated about this HIV prevention strategy. We piloted an HIV Prevention Education Program called PrEP University (PrEP U) to address knowledge gaps in HIV prevention among medical trainees. We examined PrEP awareness and assessed learning as a result of the program, measuring knowledge before and after the lectures with an anonymous 5-question multiple choice test.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis accessibility research and evaluation (PrEPARE Study).

Tenofovir-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) has demonstrated effectiveness as HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but it is not commonly prescribed. Our study was designed to determine the barriers preventing utilization of PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM), the group at greatest risk for HIV infection in the United States. A population-based sample of MSM presenting for HIV testing at 'Early Test' HIV testing and counseling sites in San Diego, California were offered PrEP and education about potential efficacy.