Are Emergency Providers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of HIV and Hepatitis C Guidelines Influencing Their Practice? A Pilot Study in Appalachia

Abstract Background: There is increasing concern of unidentified infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), due to the recent opioid epidemic. The purpose of this study was to assess emergency physicians’, advanced practice providers’ (APPs), and registered nurses’ (RNs) knowledge and perceptions of the current Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV and HCV screening guidelines and how it may affect their routine practice habits. Methods: A 25-item electronic survey was distributed to emergency physicians, APPs, and RNs from two emergency departments in West Virginia. Data were analyzed descriptively across all variables. Results: In October 2018, 47 providers completed the survey. Of those, 29 (62%) selected the correct HCV screening protocols, and 67% (31) reported they currently suggest HCV screenings to their patients. Although only six (13%) providers selected the correct HIV protocols, a larger proportion of 73% (34) suggest HIV screenings during their patient encounters. Reasons listed for not conducting these screenings while on shift included “not an emergency” and “not my role as an EM doc.” However, reasons that would make providers more likely to screen included “free screening for patients” and “results available faster.” Conclusions: This pilot study was the first to assess knowledge and perceptions of HCV and HIV screenings among a variety of Appalachian emergency providers. Our results suggest that all categories of providers surveyed lack appropriate knowledge of the current CDC screening guidelines and have varying attitudes toward screening behaviors, which could affect consistent practice to identify new infection.