HIV in acute care: a review of the burden of HIV-associated presentations to an Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: To determine the burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and co-infection on a district-level Emergency Department (ED) in KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of the case notes of adult medical patients who presented to the ED over a three-month period. Patients presenting with HIV disease and its complications were identified. Patient demographics, disease presentation and severity, investigations and procedures undertaken, and disposition of patients in the HIV-positive cohort were assessed.Results: 428 of the 861 (49.7%) medical patients presenting to the ED were HIV positive. Some 37% of patients did not know their HIV status. In the HIV-positive cohort, the median age of presentation was 37 years, with almost equal male-to-female distribution. Of the patients seen, 57.5% were referred and 68% of patients presented after hours. In total, 80% of patients were triaged as yellow code. The predominant systems involved were the respiratory and central n...