HIV Information for Healthcare Providers

Prevention

The Department of Health uses CDC recommendations to focus HIV prevention efforts. The CDC has developed guidance to help healthcare providers plan, implement, and evaluate HIV prevention case management. (more)

Testing

The evolution and management of HIV disease has changed over the years, as has public perception, to mirror many chronic diseases. The CDC and other experts recommend that HIV testing and screening be included as a routine test, particularly during pregnancy. Therefore, Rhode Island has revised its laws and regulations to consider HIV testing as a routine prenatal test. (more)

Counseling and Referral

Rhode Island law states that anyone providing HIV testing must also provide pre- and post-test counseling. Project REACH offers training to healthcare providers on HIV counseling and testing. (more) The CDC has also developed guidelines with policy makers and service providers to guide the provision of HIV counseling, testing, and referral services. (more)

For Partners

The Rhode Island Department of Health has developed a policy to help healthcare providers counsel patients on partner notification. This policy allows healthcare providers to inform a partner that he or she may be exposed to HIV if the patient refuses to notify him or her. The Department of Health's Partner Counseling and Referral Service (PCRS) can also contact partners on behalf of interested patients and let them know that they may have been exposed to HIV. (more)

Case Reporting

Hospitals, laboratories, and licensed healthcare providers are required to report HIV and AIDS cases to the Department of Health’s Office of HIV/ AIDS & Viral Hepatitis. To report an HIV/AIDS case, use the HIV/AIDS Case Report Form.

Training & Capacity Building

Project REACH

Project REACH (Relating, Exchanging and Capacity Building for HIV Prevention) provides technical assistance, prevention training, and capacity-building assistance to HIV treatment or prevention service providers. The Project seeks to develop standards for HIV prevention jointly with community partners. Trainings are designed to meet the diverse needs of the prevention community, treatment providers, and HIV prevention managers. (more)

Blood-borne Pathogens

HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a secondary preventive method that may reduce the incidence of HIV infections. HIV PEP is divided into two types: occupational and non-occupational. Occupational PEP is available through employers for nurses, emergency medical technicians, doctors, or other professionals who may have been exposed to HIV at work. Non-occupational PEP is typically employed after sexual assault, consensual sex, or needle stick injuries to at-risk patients who are not healthcare professionals. PEP is available at sites throughout the state. (more)

Standard Universal Precautions

The following sites provide information for agencies on blood-borne pathogens, including universal precautions and staff training standards:

• Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus
• Healthcare-Associated Infections
• Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis After Sexual, Injection-Drug Use, or Other Nonoccupational Exposure to HIV in the United States Recommendations

The most effective means of preventing HIV infection is preventing exposure. The provision of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection after unanticipated sexual or injection-drug use exposure might be beneficial.