Background: FOCUS is a novel HIV, HCV, Syphilis screening program which launched on 1/1/2025 at St. Anthony North, 84th Ave, and St. Anthony Hospital emergency departments. This grant funded program with support from CDPHE and Gilead, is one of the first of its kind for the region and has served as a pilot program to provide evidence for efficacy in the state of Colorado. This showcase aims to provide a template for future programs and explore challenges and successes to improve learning.
Methods: A structured approach, starting with clear goals and a SWOT analysis, informed strategic planning and decision-making for this program. Clinical staff (Registered Nurses, Critical Care Technicians, Physician Assistants, and Medical Doctors) were instrumental in guiding workflow integration and program implementation. Key partnerships enabled the creation of a 'Patient Navigator' role, complete with standard operating procedures (SOPs), to facilitate efficient access to care and prevention services. Additional SOPs were developed to effectively identify reactive test results and patients at elevated risk for Syphilis, HIV, or HCV. The program then leveraged a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process to monitor and ensure its success, improve patient satisfaction, and achieve positive population health outcomes.
Results: As a result of effective program planning and implementation there were significant increases in screening across all 3 disease types (2253.9% increase in HIV tests, 1466.7% increase in HCV tests, 349.51% increase in Syphilis tests. 2024 v 2025). Additionally, there was a 5133% increase in patients successfully linked to prevention services, and a 86.7% successful linkage to care rate for patients with active syphilis infections.
Implications: Integrated and standardized opt-out screening of STIs in Denver area Emergency Departments is an effective strategy to address rising STI rates among Colorado communities and improve prevention and general health education related to STIs.
