Rapid Diagnostic Testing for HIV:
Clinical Implications of a New Diagnostic Tool

DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENTS
USING RAPID HIV DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

The CDC currently recommends that all providers integrate HIV counseling and testing into routine practice.⁶ The use of rapid HIV tests in clinical care settings can substantially improve the delivery of HIV counseling and testing (CT) services because patients can receive their results the same day. A major issue in the United States has been patients who present for HIV counseling and testing and who do not return to receive their test results and posttest counseling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that of 2.5 million persons tested in 1995, 25% of those testing positive and 33% of those testing negative did not receive their test results. CDC calculated that a total of 697,495 more persons nationwide would have learned their HIV status if rapid HIV testing was used.¹¹

Integration of rapid HIV testing in daily practice can allow prompt diagnosis of patients with HIV disease. These patients can then be referred to a provider with experience and expertise treating HIV patients. In addition, these patients can be referred for prevention and social services.