Perinatal Rapid Testing Implementation Initiative in Illinois
PRTII2 is the Perinatal Rapid Testing Implementation Initiative in Illinois project, funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health. PRTII2 was formed in late 2003 to assist in the prevention and ultimately the elimination of perinatal HIV transmission in the state of Illinois. PRTII2’s initial mission was to implement rapid HIV testing in all 137 birthing hospitals in Illinois.
Key elements of PRTII2’s efforts included:
- Gaining buy-in from key groups for support and resources.
- Carrying out a needs assessment to better determine resource needs and potential barriers.
- Surveying birthing hospitals during January / March 2004.
- Conducting focus groups during April / May 2004 in eight hospitals diverse in size and geography.
- Using the needs assessment results to help shape the state implementation plan based on state, regional and hospital specific implementation efforts and anchored in the existing state perinatal network system.
- Mailing a Perinatal Rapid Testing Introduction Packet to all hospitals in Illinois in July 2004.
- Conducting a regional training in each of the perinatal networks for L&D managers during August 2004.
- Dividing the ten networks into regions and assigning Regional Coordinators to hospitals in each region to facilitate hospital specific training and implementation.
- Developing an implementation tool kit for hospitals that included a counseling script, model policies and consents, an implementation manual and self-directed training materials.
- Carrying out hospital specific training and implementation led by the PRTII2 Regional Coordinators beginning in September 2004.
Through rapid HIV testing at the point of labor and delivery, PRTII2 identifies HIV-positive women with previously undocumented HIV status, allowing for medical treatment of mothers and infants. Mandated reporting by Illinois law to the 24/7 Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline ensures medical consultation and referral to PACPI enhanced case managers who link women and exposed infants to essential medical care and social services.
For more information about the PRTII2 project or to contact your regional coordinator please contact:
Mardge Cohen, M.D. - Co-Principal Investigator or Yolanda Olszewski, MSc, MPH - Project Director at info@hivpregnancyhotline.org