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ForwardWMJ Vol 122 Issue 5: COVID-19 Infection Outcomes and Testing Outreach Efforts Among People Living With HIV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence and severity of COVID-19 co-infection in people living with HIV (PLWH) has been an area of investigative research. Clinic databases of PLWH provide opportunities to investigate outcomes of COVID-19 co-infection and efficacy of outreach efforts, which are integral to patient care during health crises.
Methods: All PLWH over 18 years of age who receive care at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Adult Infectious Disease Clinic and who had a COVID-19 test performed during May 2020 through March 2021 were included for analysis. All patients received an individualized phone call with COVID-19 testing education and information. Automated data collection and manual chart review were used to acquire information on demographics, outreach efforts, COVID-19 testing results, and COVID-19 clinical course.
Results: Four hundred sixty-two COVID-19 tests completed on 793 PLWH were included, with 40 (8.7%) positive tests and 422 (91.3%) negative tests on a predominantly young, male, and virally suppressed cohort. Most patients had mild to moderate COVID-19 infection (20/27, 74.07%), with 1 patient requiring hospitalization and zero deaths. Three hundred fourteen (39.59%) patients accepted outreach for COVID-19 testing; 171 were tested in our health system, with 72 of those tests occurring within 2 weeks. Outreach efforts demonstrated a statistically significant increase in COVID-19 testing (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: In this largely young, male, virally suppressed cohort of PLWH, most COVID-19 co-infections were associated with mild to moderate disease severity, with 1 hospitalization and zero deaths. Individualized patient outreach efforts were associated with a significant increase in COVID-19 testing, most of which occurred after a single phone call. This outreach process could have utility in other public health arenas, though may be limited by larger patient populations.
Intended Audience
The target audience for this journal-based activity is healthcare providers caring for the people and communities of Wisconsin and beyond.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this journal-based activity, learners, as members of the healthcare team, will be able to
- Discuss reports on outcomes of COVID- 19 infection in people living with HIV, based on the literature reviewed in the article.
- Summarize the study results regarding presenting symptoms, severity, and need for hospitalization in male, virally suppressed cohort of people living with HIV who had COVID-19 co-infection.
- Elaborate on how the study finding about the impact of individualized patient outreach efforts on COVID-19 testing could apply to the learner’s healthcare team, considering different public health areas.
FACULTY DISCLOSURE
It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education (CE). In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.
For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.
| Name of Individual | Individual's Role in Activity | Financial Relationship Disclosure | Discussion of |
| Trevor Birkey, MD | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Joanna Woodbury, APSW | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Sol Del Mar Aldrete, MD | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No | |
| Brian Buggy, MD | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Juan Felipe Coronado, MD | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Fahad Aziz, MD | Editor | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| XXX | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Cassie Meffert, PA | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Shezad Baloch | Accreditation Specialist | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose |
*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients.
The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.
Accreditation
Accreditation Statement
 | In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal. The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. |
Credit Designation Statements
American Medical Association (AMA)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hours .
 | The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 06/20/2025. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. |
Continuing Education Units
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
- 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
- 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration for this activity can only be completed through the ICEP Learning Portal. Attendee registrations made through any other sites cannot be honored. UW-Madison ICEP is not able to refund fees paid through unaffiliated registration sites, such as eMedEvents.com, MedConfWorld.com, EventEgg.com, and 10times.com. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations to help@icep.wisc.edu.
Accessibility
The University of Wisconsin provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX requirements. The University of Wisconsin fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. If any participant in this educational activity is in need of accommodations, please notify us at help@icep.wisc.edu
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