An electronic health record alert increases human immunodeficiency virus screening and case identification in a high-risk emergency department population

Abstract

Increased screening for HIV is required to reduce mortality and transmission. Patients with risk factors for HIV may lack access to routine care and emergency departments are an important site for screening and linkage to care. We implemented an electronic health record algorithm to identify patients meeting criteria for HIV screening. Compared to unstructured clinical judgement, the EHR alert increased the number of patients screened and case identification.