Business Wire - June 23, 1999
A new rule on HIV reporting is the primary agenda item.
"The rule the board is considering for adoption is the result of more than a year's work," said Dennis Braddock, board chair. "By encouraging participation from various groups we've achieved a draft solution that most public health workers, the Governor's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and the Northwest AIDS foundation support."
The new rule establishes a statewide HIV-named surveillance system. The rule also includes provisions to safeguard individuals' privacy and ensures access to anonymous HIV testing for those who prefer this option.
If adopted, health-care providers will report HIV cases by name to local health departments. Public health workers, in turn, will convert each name to a code then pass those codes on to the state Department of Health. Then, within 90 days of completing each case report, employees of local health departments will destroy the names. Laboratories also will be required to report HIV cases by name. The lab reports will be sent to a local health department or the state Department of Health, depending upon which option results in the fastest case follow-up. Again, within 90 days of having completed case reports, lab workers will destroy the names.
"If we want to prevent the further spread of HIV, protect the sexual partners of those infected with disease, and understand which populations are experiencing high rates of infection, we need to track asymptomatic HIV," said Dr. Maxine Hayes, M.D., acting state health officer for the state Department of Health.
"Anymore, it's not enough to track AIDS cases because new drug therapies allow people with HIV infection to live longer and more productive lives," Hayes said. "AIDS case reporting by itself does not provide us the information we need to track the epidemic in Washington, plan for HIV prevention programs and carry out disease control measures.
HIV reporting by name, however, will allow public health agencies to pursue all three efforts, efficiently and effectively.
Hayes added: "This is a major step forward."
Editors Note: The public may submit comments on the proposed HIV reporting rule. Send written comments by July 7 to the State Department of Health, c/o John Peppert, P.O. Box 47840, Tumwater,WA 98504-7840. Individuals may comment in person, July 14, at the State Board of Health meeting.
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CONTACT: Department of Health David Albert, 360/586-0399 http://www.doh.wa.gov
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