Category Archives: Patient Tool

Did you know Indy has a Testing Website?

Step-Up, INC manages the website www.indyhivtest.com which provides visitors with a reference for finding agencies and organizations that provide free HIV/STD testing. The website lists testing locations for Central, East, and West Indianapolis along with links to find testing outside of Indianapolis. Users are also able to visit the websites of the agencies and organizations that provide testing to learn more about other available services. IndyHIVtest.com is a simple, easy to use tool for finding information about HIV, STDs, and how to access free testing.

 

Introducing ASHA’s Sexual Health TV

Sexual Health TV

The newest project from the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), Sexual Health TV (SHTV) is your one stop for a wide range of sexual health programming! Share this with clients and patients to educate them on sexual health and to hear personal stories from cervical cancer survivors, learn about chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections, see how condoms are made, learn about sexual difficulties like erectile dysfunction, and more. Be sure to check out the Ask ASHA channel, where ASHA staff answer viewer questions about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections. Tune in today at sexualhealthtv.org!

Introducing...Sexual Health TV

PrEP and PEP Action Kit: Information for Providers

PrEP&PED NYCThe New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has developed various Public Health Action Kits for providers, including one for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).  The PrEP and PEP Action Kit includes provider and patient resources, such as guidelines, billing codes, FAQs, pocket cards and posters.  It is structured around core HIV prevention practices that include: taking a thorough sexual history, screening sexually active patients, and talking about and prescribing PrEP and PEP.
Click here to visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website and utilize this helpful tool.

 

CDC Launches Redesigned Website

On November 4th, 2014 the CDC announced the launch of several redesigned websites, including the CDC NPIN websiteand HIV/STD testing locator. The new features will include a new Social Network element to better connect those who are working in the prevention field, a new search bar to look up different topics within the NPIN site, and a new page layout along with a new website address.

Visit https://npin.cdc.gov to see the updated National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) Beta website andhttps://gettested.cdc.gov to go to the HIV/STD Testing Locator site.

Clinical Trial Opportunities for Patients with HIV Infection

The Division of Infectious Diseases at the Indiana University School of Medicine has conducted clinical trials and research to improve the health and well-being of Indiana adults and adolescents with a variety of infections for over 30 years. They have performed studies in the areas of HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections (herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia), and sexual behavioral medicine.

Indiana University Infectious Diseases Research (IUIDR) is a research group for the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Indiana University School of Medicine. Our group also includes physicians from the Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology who study infections.

Here are a few examples of the opportunities available to patients right now:

  1. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial Assessing Two Doses of N-Acetylcysteine on Changes in Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Function in HIV-infected Older Adults Receiving Stable Antiretroviral Therapy (CECARE NAC).
  2. A Phase III Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Active Comparator-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Reformulated Raltegravir 1200 mg Once Daily Versus Raltegravir 400 mg Twice Daily, Each in Combination With TRUVADA™, in Treatment-Naïve HIV-1 Infected Subjects. Merck-MK-0518-292, Samir Gupta, PI.
  3. A Phase IIIb, randomized, open-label study of the safety and efficacy of dolutegravir/abacavir/lamuvidine once daily compared to atazanavir and ritonavir plus tenofovir/emtricitabine once daily in HIV-1 infected antiretroviral therapy naïve women (Protocol #117172),” GlaxoSmithKline, Kenneth H. Fife, PI.
  4. “A Phase IIIb, randomized, open-label study of the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of switching to a fixed-dose combination of abacavir/dolutegravir/ lamivudine from current antiretroviral regimen compared with continuation of the current antiretroviral regimen in HIV-1 infected adults who are virologically suppressed (Protocol #201147)”, GlaxoSmithKline, Kenneth H. Fife, PI

Contact information for the Research Team:

For more information, please visit their website: http://medicine.iupui.edu/infdresearch/

 

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has Released e-book Version of Guide to Clinical Preventive Services

From: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

For the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released an e-book version of its Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, an authoritative source that can help primary care clinicians and patients decide together what preventive services are right for a patient’s needs. The 2014 Guide includes all active Task Force evidence-based recommendations since 2004, including 28 new and updated recommendations since the 2012 version of the Guide.

 

The e-book is compatible with many readers, including Kindle, Nook, iBook, and Kobo. As a reminder, in addition to the e-book, you can view and download the Guide online or order a print copy of the guide at the AHRQ Publications Online Store. To place a bulk order, please contact AHRQ by email (ahrqpubs@ahrq.hhs.gov) or phone (toll-free, 800-358-9295).

 

The Task Force also provides other resources for primary care clinicians, including:

 

  • An up-to-date list of Task Force recommendations, available through the A-Z Topic Index on the Task Force Website.

 

For more information about the Guide and other Task Force resources, visit: www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.

What is PEP?

NYSAIThis booklet has patient information regarding the use of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV uninfected persons possibly exposed to HIV through at risk behavior.

This is a useful tool for providers to help explain PEP to patients who are in need of this treatment.

You can download copies of this poster at this website.