Adoption of a rapid HIV testing and counseling program facilitates state-wide implementation

1. Adoption of a rapid HIV testing and counseling program facilitates state-wide implementation B. Holmes1, L. Haynes2, J.Korte2, K. Brady2 1Lexington-Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, 2Medical University of South Carolina, Aims HIV Testing and Counseling Course State-Wide Implementation State-Wide Implementation (Continued) To report on an initiative to implement HIV rapid testing in substance abuse treatment programs in the state of South Carolina. A multi-agency collaboration between the Single State Authority (DAODAS), the State Health Department (DHEC) , the regional Addiction Technology Transfer Center, (ATTC) and one substance abuse treatment program that adopted a rapid HIV testing and counseling program following the completion of a clinical trials, facilitated state wide implementation. LRADAC, a community-based treatment program, was one of twelve sites that participated in a randomized clinical trail, sponsored by the NIDA/CTN, (CTN0032) HIV Rapid Testing and Counseling in Drug Abuse Treatment Programs. Upon completion of the trial, LRADAC implemented a rapid HIV testing and counseling program as a clinical service. South Carolina’s previous efforts to implement on site rapid HIV testing in 10 pilot agencies had less than optimal success due to the absence of a successful model on which agencies could base their implementation plan. With support from the collaborating agencies, staff developed and presented a 2 ½ day HIV testing and counseling curriculum at the annual SC School of Alcohol and Drug Studies in 2010. Following the successful completion of the course, participants were fully certified to conduct testing and counseling in their local programs. Course participants had the opportunity to learn the counseling and testing procedures that LRADAC staff found successful in implementing their program. Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS among drug users continue to be a challenge for addictions professionals. Scientifically validated interventions have been developed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS among substance users. Yet implementing those interventions requires staff training, and, until this course was developed, that training was not easily accessible. Routinely within the state of South Carolina, it would take approximately 6 months to be trained to conduct HIV testing due to the sporadic offering of required trainings. This course , “Implementing Rapid HIV Testing in an Addiction Treatment Setting,” was designed to give participants the knowledge and skills needed to implement a HIV testing program in their local substance abuse treatment facility. Upon successful completion of the course all participants were fully certified by SC Department of Health and SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services to conduct HIV testing and counseling. There are 33 state supported substance abuse treatment agencies within the state of South Carolina. These agencies provides services to citizens in all 46 counties. In Fiscal Year 2010, there were 12 local substance abuse treatment agencies that were endorsed to conduct HIV testing. An additional 4 agencies were added in Fiscal Year 2011. Figure# 2 illustrates the number of HIV tests that were conducted in the state supported substance abuse treatment agencies from July 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011. Figure #3 LRADAC compared to all of the additional state supported substance abuse treatment providers who are conducting HIV tests in South Carolina. Conclusion • Although challenging, implementing HIV testing in substance abuse treatment programs is feasible for agencies. However, according to DAODAS, there have been a number of reasons for the less than optimal success of the HIV testing initiative including: • Loss of dedicated staff trained in provision of the rapid test, • Changes in quality assurance protocols associated with rapid testing • Impact of funding decreases and re-alignment of staff locally • Time associated with hiring and training new staff, etc.  • Nevertheless, LRADAC remains as the front-runner in the state’s HIV testing initiative. LRADAC continues to offer their model, expertise and support to the state in an ongoing effort to maximum this very important and necessary service. LRADAC hopes to offer the HIV testing and counseling course as needed in the future. Acknowledgement . Figure #2: SC Substance Abuse Treatment Providers and the # of tests that were conducted from 7/1/10-1/31/11. • DAODAS • CTN, Southern Consortium Figure #1: Course Objectives for HIV Testing and Counseling Course offered at SC School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, Furman University, 7/2010