Targeted Nurse-driven HIV Screening in Emergency Departments

To reduce late HIV diagnosis that remains common in France, the national health agency has promoted non-targeted HIV screening in health care settings, including emergency departments (EDs). In our previous survey, non-targeted nurse-driven HIV screening by rapid tests was feasible, well-accepted but identified only a few new HIV diagnoses mostly among patients at high-risk. Our findings, consistent with results from other international groups, suggest that a targeted strategy could be feasible, efficient and cost-effective with fewer tests required. However, the feasibility and the efficacy of this strategy remain unknown in France. The main aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of 2 strategies: 1) the combination of the nurse-driven HIV targeted screening and the current practice (physician-directed HIV diagnostic testing) versus 2) the current practice alone. The strategies will be compared during 2 randomly assigned periods (cluster randomization and cross-over) in 8 EDs of metropolitan Paris. During targeted period, nurses will offer screening to all patients at EDs, aged 18-64 years old, identified as high-risk by a self-administered questionnaire, not know to be HIV positive, not being seen for post-exposure prophylaxis or unstable medical illness, and accepting to participate by providing an informed consent. In case of confirmed reactive rapid test result, a follow-up visit with an on-site infectious disease specialist will be arranged within the following 48 hours.