LAUSR

Abstract Policy changes and scientific advances have guided new methods of diagnosing and managing HIV that reduce mortality, morbidity, and transmission. In a high HIV prevalence urban setting, a hospital initiative was implemented to routinely perform HIV testing and provide linkage to care for those with positive results and for individuals with a prior diagnosis of HIV. Maryland's unique all-payer model presents an opportunity to implement population health initiatives in health systems. The rationale, methodology, results and lessons learned from this approach will be discussed. Providers and nurses offered routine HIV screening and activated a Linkage to Care Navigator (LCN) for all HIV positive patients. The LCN provided referrals to HIV care and supportive services. In 22 months, 28 persons were newly diagnosed with HIV. Eighty-two percent (n = 23) were linked to outpatient care; 28.6% (8) were readmitted within 30 days for an inpatient stay. Of 517 patients previously diagnosed with HIV, 27.7% (n...