Gilead Sciences Medical Symposium: Optimal Approaches to HIV Testing, Treatment, and Postexposure Prophylaxis
0530 - 0630
Registration and Breakfast
0600 - 0800
Symposium
Plaza Ballroom / Hilton San Francisco
It is well recognized that the emergency department serves as a major health care safety net and may provide a setting for initiatives that affect public heath, such as screening and detection of HIV. For example, it is estimated that of the more than 1 million persons infected with HIV in the US, approximately one-quarter are unaware of their serostatus. Strikingly, those persons who are unaware of their HIV serostatus account for more than 50% of new infections. Further, evidence shows that many HIV-infected persons access health care during the years before they are diagnosed, but they are not tested for HIV. For example, persons who receive an AIDS diagnosis within 12 months of gaining a diagnosis of HIV infection (“late testers”) account for nearly 40% of individuals identified in 2003. These disturbing trends underscore the need for routine voluntary testing for patients ages 13 to 64 years in healthcare settings, including emergency departments. Though there is no cure, effective treatment is available.
The dramatic decline in annual AIDS-related mortality has been largely attributed to use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). One key factor to achieving optimal success with today’s HAART regimens is early detection and initiation of treatment. The recent update to the CDC guidelines for HIV/AIDS testing represent the most important change in HIV screening guidelines in many years. Initial therapy with boosted PI- or NNRTI-based regimens have demonstrated substantial efficacy in suppressing HIV RNA replication and increasing CD4 cell counts. For example, >70% of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patient will achieve an HIV RNA level <50 copies/mL and realize substantial CD4 cell count gains within the first 24 to 48 weeks of therapy.
Over the past 5 years, there have been significant improvements in the potency and durability of HAART regimens, including those agents that can be considered for use as postexposure prophylaxis for occupational exposures to HIV. This program will discuss current recommendations for HIV testing, guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy in adults and adolescents with HIV infection, and recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis from occupational exposures to HIV. These guidelines enable emergency physicians to increase the number of persons who are aware of their HIV-infection status, follow treatment strategies to prolong the life of HIV-infected patients, and provide timely and effective postexposure management.
Program Objectives
- Discuss the implications for emergency settings of the recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for HIV/AIDS testing and describe the health benefits of routine HIV screening.
- Explain the current recommendations on when to initiate antiretroviral therapy and therapy for opportunistic infections defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines.
- Describe the efficacy and safety data from key clinical trials on preferred initial antiretroviral regimens and opportunitistic infection prophylaxis recommended by the DHHS guidelines and discuss common complications that may be seen in acute care settings and how to manage them.
- Discuss recommendations for the management and administration of postexposure prophylaxis for occupational exposure to HIV with emphasis on emergency settings.
The faculty will be: Richard E. Rothman, MD, PhD; Renslow D. Sherer, MD; Kenneth H. Mayer, MD.
This satellite symposium is sponsored for CME credit by Rush University Medical Center, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) and the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.
Rush University Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Rush University Medical Center designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) is an approved provider of continuing education in nursing by the Virginia Nurses Association Continuing Education Approval Committee, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This program is approved for 2 contact hours by the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC).
The University of Florida College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education (UPN # 012-999-08-040-L02-P). This educational activity is accredited for 2 hours of continuing education credit. The University of Florida College of Pharmacy will mail Statements of Continuing Education Credit within 30 working dates after receiving evidence of successful completion of the course. Successful completion includes achieving a score of at least 70% on the test and a completed evaluation form.
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Gilead Sciences Medical Affairs.
To register for this symposium event, please go to www.mededplanner.com. Enter event code 21800003. Please note that an “invite code” is not needed.