Additionally, the information is truncated and searchable by patient type and services provided.  Referral Link also allows for narrowing of search functions by all of the categories, such as case management, Medicaid availability and confirmatory testing services.  

 “This resource will give those providers that are following the CDC’s HIV testing recommendations the tool they need to ensure that their newly-diagnosed patients will be linked to care from a quality HIV care provider,” said Donna Sweet, MD, MACP, AAHIVS, chair of the Board of Director for AAHIVM.  

 In 2006, CDC released “Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women, in Health-Care Settings.”  These recommendations advise voluntary routine HIV screening of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women ages 13-64 in health care settings in the United States.  While many have implemented HIV testing as a standard of care, some medical providers, particularly general practitioners, have not widely adopted and implemented the recommendations, because of concerns of not being able to link an HIV-infected individual to HIV primary care services.  

Referral Link  seeks to target these allied health professionals who identify an HIV case among their patient population, and need to refer that patient to another practice. It is also useful for HIV specialists and patients looking for referrals to other areas of HIV-related care or supportive services, or to other providers in a given region.

“Ultimately, we would like to geographically expand this service and offer it as a resource to health-care providers across the country,” said James A. Friedman, executive director of AAHIVM. “We believe this tool will boost the HIV-testing rate and at the end of the day, save lives.”