7 stations / 78 steps/ 29 script lines
Communication and counselling
These stations are scored almost entirely on what you say and in what order. Every line here is one you can use as written; hide them, say them, then check.
0 of 78 steps
Frame the test
- Positive messaging“Knowing your status has real benefits either way: the comfort of a negative result, or, with an early diagnosis, treatments that keep people healthy for a long life.”
- Transmission routes: sex without a barrier, shared needles or syringes, mother to child (pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding), blood transfusion.
- Explain the window period“There is a window after an exposure when a test can miss the infection, so follow-up testing may be needed.”Standard serology: about 1.5 months picks up infection 99% of the time.Point-of-care rapid tests (antibody with or without antigen): up to 3 months; a reactive rapid test is confirmed by a laboratory sample.
- Encourage discussing testing with current partners, to avoid an unknown serodiscordant relationship.
- Discuss steps to avoid acquiring or transmitting HIV and other STIs until all testing is complete.
Privacy and consent
- Assure privacy and explain how it is protected; name the limits: a positive result is shared with Public Health.Nominal testing uses the person's name.Anonymous testing gives no identifying information; a positive result reaches Public Health without a name.
- Explain the public health benefits of disclosing to current and future partners after a positive result, and of partner notification.
- Identify post-test support needs.
- State the right to decline“You have every right to decline this test. Would you like to go ahead?”
- Obtain verbal consent.