miércoles, 3 de diciembre de 2014

Enhancing Access to Testing and Treatment for Infectious Diseases | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

Enhancing Access to Testing and Treatment for Infectious Diseases | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

AHRQ Innovations Exchange: Innovations and Tools to Improve Quality and Reduce Disparities

Enhancing Access to Testing and Treatment for Infectious DiseasesWednesday, November 19, 2014



Graphic of HIV virus in blood

Infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, continue to pose a public health problem in the U.S. with high associated health care costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010 there were 23.6 million visits to office-based physicians and 3.2 million hospital outpatient visits for infectious disease care. This issue highlights innovative strategies to enhance access to testing and treatment for various infections, especially among vulnerable populations.
The featured Innovations describe a sexually transmitted disease prevention program for young minority women that offers a free, at-home test kit; an inner-city hospital that uses health care providers to routinely offer all eligible patients an HIV test as part of their visit; and a methadone treatment center that enhanced access to hepatitis assessment and treatment.
The featured QualityTools include a national HIV/AIDS awareness campaign targeted at the public and health care providers; a report that describes successful strategies to increase chlamydia screening; and a Web site for health care professionals with resources related to HIV testing.

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