Improving Hiv Pep Patient Follow-Up Appointment And Laboratory Testing In A Telehealth Setting: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

The ongoing HIV epidemic in the United States highlights the need for innovative prevention strategies, including non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated a telehealth-based intervention aimed at increasing HIV PEP follow-up appointments and laboratory completion rates, while also enhancing provider knowledge. Dual interventions included a patient reminder system and provider education. While provider knowledge significantly improved post-intervention, based on Cohen’s d effect size of 0.62, clinical significance was demonstrated by follow-up appointment rates declining from 44% pre-intervention to 41% post-intervention. Laboratory completion rates also decreased, with 53% of patients completing labs pre-intervention compared to 38% post-intervention (χ² = 5.54, p = .019). These findings suggest that provider education was effective, with the reminder systems improving follow-up and laboratory adherence in a telehealth setting. Keywords: HIV PEP (non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis), laboratory completion, KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice, patient-reminder system