HAB HIV Performance Measures: 

Systems-Level 

Performance Measure: System Level: HIV test results for 

PLWHA 

Percentage of individuals who test positive1 for HIV who are given their HIV-antibody test results in the 

measurement year 

Numerator: Number of individuals who are tested in the system/network who test positive1

 for HIV 

and who are given their HIV antibody test results in the measurement year. 

Denominator: Number of individuals who are tested in the system/network and who test positive1

 for 

HIV in the measurement year. 

Patient 

Exclusions: 

1. Patients who test negative for HIV antibodies. 

2. Patients who receive an indeterminate HIV antibody test result. 

3. Patients who are already aware of a previous positive confirmatory test (i.e., 

confirmatory test at first medical care visit). 

4. Patients who are less than thirteen years of age. 

Data Element: 

For each agency: 

1. Was the patient tested for HIV infection during the measurement year? (Y/N) 

a. If yes, did the patient have a positive confirmatory test1? (Y/N) 

i. If yes, was the patient given his/her confirmatory test result in 

the measurement year? (Y/N) 

For the system: 

1. How many patients were tested for HIV infection within the system/network in 

the measurement year? 

a. How many patients had positive confirmatory tests? 

i. Of those patients, how many received the confirmatory test 

results? 

Data Sources: 

 Data reports required by HRSA/HAB, such as the Ryan White Data Report (RDR) 

and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Services Report (RSR), may provide useful 

data regarding the number of patients identified receiving HIV antibody testing at the 

system level. 

 Electronic databases, such as CAREWare, Lab Tracker, PEMS, Electronic Medical 

Record/Electronic Health Record 

 Surveillance data systems 

National Goals, 

Targets, or 

Benchmarks 

for 

Comparison: 

None available at this time 

Outcome 

Measures for 

Consideration: 

 Percent of patients entering outpatient/ambulatory medical care with an AIDS 

diagnosis in the measurement year. 

 Percent of HIV+ patients linked to outpatient/ambulatory medical care in the 

measurement year. 

Basis for Selection: 

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Final 
HAB HIV Performance Measures: 

Systems-Level 

“The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that clinicians screen for HIV all adults and 

adolescents at increased risk for HIV, on the basis that when HIV is diagnosed early, appropriately timed 

interventions, particularly HAART, can lead to improved health outcomes, including slower clinical 

progression and reduced mortality....Timely access to diagnostic HIV test results also improves health 

outcomes. Diagnostic testing in health care settings continues to be the mechanism by which nearly half of 

new HIV infections are identified.... Persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection need a thorough evaluation of 

their clinical status and immune function to determine their need for antiretroviral treatment or other therapy. 

HIV-infected persons should receive or be referred for clinical care promptly, consistent with HSPHS 

guidelines for management of HIV-infected persons.” 2 

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-87) further emphasized the 

importance of identifying individuals with HIV/AIDS who do not know their HIV status, making them aware 

of their status, and referring them into treatment and care. 3 

US Public Health Service Guidelines:

 “Diagnostic HIV testing and opt-out health screening [should] be a part of routine clinical care in all healthcare settings while also preserving the patient’s option to decline HIV testing and ensuring a provider-patient 

relationship conducive to optimal clinical and preventive care....The central goal of HIV screening in a 

health-care setting is to maximize the number of persons who are aware of their HIV infection and receive 

care and prevention services. Definitive mechanisms should be established to inform patients of their test 

results....HIV-positive test results should be communicated confidentially through personal contact by a 

clinician, nurse, mid-level practitioner, counselor or other skilled staff...Active efforts are essential to ensure 

that HIV-infected patients receive their positive tests results and linkages to clinical care, counseling, support, 

and prevention services” 2 

References/Notes: 

1 “Test positive” includes only a confirmatory HIV test, regardless of the test used. 

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, 

Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings. MMWR 2006:55 (No. RR-14):1-17

3 “Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009”. (P.L. 111-87), 42 USC 201. 

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