Ripich S, Mole L, Holodniy M; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 895 (abstract no. PO-D21-4066).
VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA.
ISSUE: Since 1987 the HIV Program at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center has experienced a period of rapid growth as local seroprevalence increased and IV Drug users became symptomatic and sought medical attention. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: A multidisciplinary team assembled to address the needs of the HIV+ population and to prevent inpatient hospitalization. All patients are followed in a primary care setting utilizing mid-level medical clinicians supervised by an infectious diseases physician. Each patient receives periodic consultation from each of several allied health care providers. A nurse practitioner is available by paging system 24 hours per day/7 days per week to provide ongoing support to patients in the community and to address health problems before they become severe. Coordination of care from each of the providers is maintained by regular interdisciplinary meetings. RESULTS: In the period from 1/1/92 to 1/1/93, cumulative totals of HIV patients rose from 176 patients to 408 patients (232% increase). Clinic visits rose from 576 visits/year (1991) to 1291 visits/year (1992)(224% increase). Acuity rose as the percentage of HIV patients with an AIDS-defining illness from 48.2% to 54.5%. The mean number of patients who required inpatient hospitalization in the medical, psychiatric, or detox units has remained stable at a mean of 10 patients/month (s.d. < 1 patient per month). CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive multidisciplinary outpatient approach to the care of the HIV+ patient can result in decreased episodes of inpatient care. Coordination of multidisciplinary care requires intensely collaborative efforts amongst all providers, and a method for ongoing communication regarding patients' status and needs.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Ambulatory Care
- Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Inpatients
- Outpatients
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Veterans
- drug therapy
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102207363
From Meeting Abstracts