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Date of Report: 08/01/2004
Source: Florida/Caribbean AETC
The Florida/Caribbean AETC Perinatal HIV Transmission Prevention Project is a well established education and training program designed for Florida healthcare professionals. Between 2004 and 2005, the project's scope has expanded to include implementing rapid testing training in labor and delivery settings.
The Rapid Testing Initiative involves:
 | Developing a Florida-specific protocol for rapid testing implementation based on the CDC model protocol and on the Mother- Infant Rapid Intervention at Delivery (MIRIAD) studies |
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| Helping implement rapid testing in more than ten labor and delivery units across the State of Florida |
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| Designing an appropriate system for follow-up of women who test positive in labor and delivery |
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| Providing training and technical assistance to labor and delivery staff on implementation methods |
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| Mentoring hospitals as they initiate and maintain rapid testing |
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| Assessing and evaluating the project, considering variables such as change in hospital capacity for HIV counseling and rapid testing and change in hospital practice |
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| Educating prenatal care providers on the importance of transferring patient records that indicate HIV status to labor and delivery in a timely manner |
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The program also addresses the need to educate and involve a wide range of health-related professionals including hospital administrators, pharmacy personnel, and laboratory personnel. An essential component of the program is to distribute educational materials about prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission to professionals throughout the state. These prevention materials include brochures and posters designed to inform both providers and their patients about the importance of HIV testing during pregnancy. Additionally, a team of expert trainers travels throughout Florida to educate healthcare professionals on the most current treatment options available for reducing perinatal transmission.
For additional information on the Perinatal HIV Transmission Prevention Project, please visit http://www.USFCenter.org/Perinatal or contact Shalewa Noel, M.P.H., Perinatal Program Coordinator, (813) 974-6498, snoel@fmhi.usf.edu.
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