This week, it was announced that work to improve HIV outcomes at Croydon Hospital was awarded ‘Top Global Winner’ at the UNIVANTS 2021 awards. The work focused on the introduction of ‘opt-out’ HIV testing in the Emergency Department at Croydon Hospital, with a sustained rate of 97% over 18 months, setting an international gold standard.
Staff in ED and Pathology worked together to introduce ‘opt-out’ testing in May 2020, which has resulted in diagnosis rates for HIV tripling. Croydon has an extremely high prevalence of HIV, one of the highest in London. It also has a high rate of late diagnosis, meaning that individuals will have had HIV for between three and five years by the time they are diagnosed. Late diagnosis increases the risk of ill-health, premature death and onward transmission. Early diagnosis allows the initiation of highly-effective treatment and significantly improves outcomes for patients.
Consultant Clinical Scientist and part of the award-winning team Dr Leslie Perry says, “We are delighted to receive this award in recognition of what we have done to improve HIV outcomes in Croydon. This has been a great example of multi-disciplinary work and what can be achieved, and this award is the cherry on the cake.
“Thank you to the South West London Pathology team in the lab for all their support and for working tirelessly to make this a success.”
The UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence is a prestigious global award programme that was created by Abbott in partnership with leading healthcare organisations across the globe with a common vision to inspire and celebrate healthcare.