Unique Implementation of an Emergency Department Human Immunodeficiency Virus Routinized Screening Program

More than 1.1 million people live with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and 18% of those living with HIV are unaware of their infection. Men who have sex with men (MSM) and intravenous drug users (IVDUs), regardless of race or ethnicity, continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of the epidemic. Current literature indicates the HIV epidemic recently plateaued, however in some geographical pockets, it may still be on the rise. Engaging a unique venue for bloodborne virus universal screening, such as an emergency department, was inspired by the End HIV Epidemic (EHE - 2030) campaign of the CDC. We are unaware of any emergency department-based study that has been published on an EMR-integrated identification, screening, and linkage to care process for HIV, utilizing the current CDC universal guidelines.