Connecticut Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Says New System Will Ensure Patients Who Test Positive for HIV Are Promptly Informed of Diagnosis
The Connecticut Department of Veterans' Affairs has implemented a new system at its veterans' hospital to ensure that all patients who test positive for HIV at the facility will be "promptly notified" of their diagnosis, the Hartford Courant reports. Connecticut law mandates that HIV-positive patients be notified of their diagnosis, but a state Department of Public Health report issued last month found that one patient at the state's Veterans' Home and Hospital was notified that he was HIV-positive eight months after being tested for the virus. State veterans' affairs Commissioner Eugene Migliaro said that this incident was "unacceptable" but also appeared to be an "isolated event." Migliaro said that under the new system, one hospital employee is accountable for making test results known to both the patient and his or her doctor (Leukhardt, Hartford Courant, 9/18). The hospital director of medicine must also make sure that a patient who tests positive for HIV is aware of the test result. The new policy also calls for pre- and post-test counseling by the patient's primary physician (Associated Press, 9/18).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.