First hospital makes HIV test routine

By Christine Dell'Amore

"Howard University Hospital Monday became the first in the nation to offer routine HIV testing for all patients, employees and students.
The Washington hospital will begin posting HIV screening liaisons in each department to administer free, voluntary HIV tests. The staff will use Food and Drug Administration-approved OraQuick Advance, a saliva-based test that determines a person's HIV status within 20 minutes.
All patients will be offered the free test, but they will have the choice to verbally opt out, said Dr. Celia Maxwell, director of the hospital's Center for Infectious Disease Management and Research. Maxwell added she doesn't expect many people to opt out, as most want to know the status of their health..."

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