Missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection among adults presenting to Auckland District Health Board hospital services

Background Earlier diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection improves health outcomes and reduces transmission. In New Zealand, half of new HIV diagnoses between 2005 and 2010 had a cluster of differentiation 4 count below 350 cells/mm3. HIV screening is already offered in antenatal settings in New Zealand, but not universally in hospital settings. Aims To assess the impact of missed opportunities to diagnose HIV infection in adults presenting to hospital services at Auckland District Health Board (ADHB). Methods Retrospective cohort analysis of all new diagnoses of HIV infection in adults aged 15–64 years residing within the ADHB catchment area over a 7‐year period. Those who had contact with hospital services prior to diagnosis, but within their estimated window of undiagnosed infection, were compared with those without such contact. Results Of 201 newly diagnosed patients, 68 had prior hospital contact within their estimated window of HIV infection, 68% of whom were men who have sex with men. These patients could potentially have been diagnosed earlier by a median of 12 months (range 1–84). Missed opportunity visits occurred across a wide range of hospital services, and included visits for conditions that indicated risk for, or actual, HIV infection. Thirteen patients had HIV‐associated illnesses at the time of diagnosis that could have been prevented if diagnosed earlier. Conclusion Our current risk‐based HIV screening strategy commonly results in late diagnosis, negative health impacts and possibly avoidable transmissions. Further study is warranted to model the feasibility and potential impact of universal HIV screening at ADHB.