High‐level compliance to opt‐out HIV testing in the emergency department (ED) of a large teaching hospital using the biochemistry sample as the sample type for HIV screening

Introduction HIV remains a key public health issue. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and British HIV Association guidance recommends that patients should be offered HIV testing when admitted to hospital or attending emergency departments (EDs) in areas with a prevalence ≥ 2 per 1000. We report a novel method of testing and the first 3‐year results from our HIV ED testing programme utilizing biochemistry samples for HIV testing, with the aim of improving uptake while ensuring no changes to clinical practice in EDs. Methods Routine ED HIV testing was implemented on 1 October 2018; it was initially opt‐in and was subsequently changed to opt‐out on 1 February 2019. HIV testing was added to all ED blood test order sets and was performed on the biochemistry samples of those aged 18–59 years. The age range was extended to include those aged 16+ years on 1 March 2021 along with a move to notional consent. Results A total of 78 333 HIV tests were performed from an estimated 110 683 attendees who had bloods taken in the same age range, demonstrating an overall 69.5% testing coverage. On implementation of opt‐out testing after the first 4 months, the proportion of tests increased (from 57.9% to 69%). After increase in age range to 16+ years and a move to notional consent, the overall testing coverage improved to 74.2%. Of 1054 reactive results, 728 (69%) were known people living with HIV, eight (0.8%) were not contactable, two (0.2%) re‐tested elsewhere and three (0.3%) declined a re‐test. A total of 259 false‐positives were determined by follow‐up testing and 50 (4.8%) were newly diagnosed with HIV. An HIV diagnosis was suspected in only 22%, and 48% had never previously tested for HIV. Conclusions An opt‐out HIV testing programme with notional consent and using biochemistry samples within the ED is feasible, acceptable and provides an excellent opportunity to diagnose patients who do not perceive themselves to be at risk or have never tested before.