Beyond the Band-Aid: The Central Role of Emergency Medicine in HIV and HCV Prevention and Treatment

Widely acknowledged for their role in the safety net, emergency departments (EDs) often absorb gaps in the healthcare system. But far beyond the role of a “band-aid” for public health challenges, emergency departments can play a proactive, leadership role in the screening and treatment of HIV, HCV, and syphilis. Despite longstanding guidelines regarding opt-out testing for HIV and HCV, uptake in emergency departments remains low. This session will showcase data-driven approaches to automated opt-out screening and linkage to care including AI-enabled risk stratification, EHR automation, collaboration with local health departments, and linkage to comprehensive prevention services, along with real-world examples of ED based opt-out screening and linkage to care initiatives. Panelists will highlight implementation lessons, impact on health equity, and scalable models that other EDs can adapt.