Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) Emergency Department patients from ages 18 to 70 years will automatically receive an HIV test while getting other bloodwork done
From May 2nd, 2022 to October 31, 2022, all Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) Emergency Department patients from ages 18 to 70 years will automatically receive an HIV test while getting other bloodwork done. Why? Simply, the only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested. This initiative follows the HIV testing guidelines for B.C. which recommend everyone have an HIV test when they receive bloodwork for a new or worsening medical condition.
Opt-out HIV testing in acute care hospitals has been successful in other Health Authorities; Vancouver Coastal Health Authority since 2011 and Interior Health Authority since 2019. By running this pilot at RJH, Island Health will determine if opt-out HIV testing is feasible and suitable for expansion across the health authority.
If your test result is positive or indeterminate, and you’re still in hospital, a physician or nurse will speak with you to walk you through next steps. If you have been discharged, a nurse will phone you. If you would like to confirm a negative test result, you may call 1-866-665-6626 to speak with a Communicable Disease Nurse.
If you are getting bloodwork done as a patient in the RJH Emergency Department and you do not want an HIV test, you can opt-out by telling your health care provider in the hospital that you do not want a test. Non-nominal tests are not available through this initiative (Please see “How can I get tested for HIV” for more information on non-nominal tests).
Thank you for your support.
from: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/hiv-aids/hiv-aids
VPWAS provides free, confidential Peer Navigation and Peer Support to anyone who is living with HIV, knows someone living with HIV, or is concerned about HIV
Call 250.382.7927 | toll free: 1.877.382.7927 | email: support@vpwas.org
