Q&A
DOHMH data collection and investigation methods for HIV/AIDS cases
0:47:15
ยท
174 sec
Council Member Schulman inquires about DOHMH's methods for collecting data and investigating HIV/AIDS cases. Sarah Braunstein explains the process:
- DOHMH receives electronically reported HIV-related laboratory tests
- A robust case investigation team confirms diagnoses and conducts interviews
- The team approaches newly diagnosed individuals for partner notification and linkage to care
- Multiple checks and balances exist, including provider reporting, to ensure comprehensive case identification
Key points:
- DOHMH uses a sophisticated data system for secure storage of lab results
- Community-based staff conduct interviews for partner services and care linkage
- The system reaches nearly all people diagnosed with HIV in a given year
Lynn C. Schulman
0:47:15
not necessarily a question for you here because I have another hearing next week about public health emergencies, which will include HIV and AIDS.
0:47:23
But I think we need to take a look at how we collect the data, get considering what's going on with the federal government right now and how we're gonna move forward with that.
0:47:32
So just I'm just putting it out there, not.
0:47:35
So, to conduct the report, DOHMH states that they rely on electronically reported HIV related laboratory tests and DOHMH led investigations that confirm the date, in fact, of an HIV Mhmm.
0:47:50
Diagnosis.
0:47:51
How does DOHMH conduct these investigations?
Sarah Braunstein
0:47:54
Sure.
0:47:55
So we are, fortunate to have a very robust, case investigation team and program within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, wherein we, you know, as you noted, we receive electronically reported laboratory tests indicating HIV positivity.
0:48:12
And then actually while someone is living with HIV, we also receive all, tests related to their HIV.
0:48:18
So CD four counts, viral load tests that enable us to, measure and track outcomes for people living with HIV.
0:48:25
So we receive those laboratory tests, you know, house them in a very secure, very sophisticated data system, our surveillance system.
0:48:33
And then we have a team of, community based staff who use that information on someone's first positive test reported to the health department to, approach that person for interview.
0:48:45
And that interview has multi multiple purposes.
0:48:47
Two primary ones being to ask that person about, sex or needle sharing partners that may have been exposed to HIV and could benefit from HIV testing, linkage to care if positive, or HIV, prevention such as pre exposure prophylaxis, and also then to link the newly diagnosed individual with HIV medical care.
0:49:08
So we, and we do reach nearly all people diagnosed with HIV in a given year.
Lynn C. Schulman
0:49:13
I was gonna ask you also what is DOHMH's process of searching for unreported cases?
0:49:19
And and by the way, with everything going on with the federal government, there may be more of those.
0:49:25
So Sure.
0:49:27
We,
Sarah Braunstein
0:49:29
you know, we we have a very close relationship with, you know, the providers throughout New York City.
0:49:35
So there's a sort of, duplicative but complimentary system wherein not only are we receiving laboratory tests related to HIV automatically, electronically to our surveillance system, but also providers report, new HIV diagnoses that they've made and also are required by law to report people who are diagnosed with HIV who are new to their care.
0:49:56
So we have multiple sort of checks and balances.
0:49:59
So that's you know, provider reporting is a critical way that we learn about, perhaps not as yet reported HIV positive people through our surveillance system.