H.i.v. ‘should Be Notifiable’ (Press, 16 July 1988)
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Summary: H.i.v. ‘should Be Notifiable’ (Press, 16 July 1988)
On 16 July 1988, a committee from the Canterbury Hospital Board proposed that positive H.I.V. (human immunodeficiency virus) tests should be classified as notifiable to enhance the protection of medical personnel from contracting A.I.D.S. (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) from their patients. Currently, while full-blown A.I.D.S. must be reported to the Health Department, positive H.I.V. test results are not mandated for notification. The committee raised concerns about the potential risks faced by surgeons and other healthcare providers who may be treating patients unaware of their H.I.V. status. Medical superintendent-in-chief Dr Ross Fairgray highlighted the anxiety surrounding the possibility of contracting A.I.D.S. while treating H.I.V. positive individuals, citing reports from overseas where a few surgeons have reportedly died after contracting the virus during surgery. Dr Fairgray explained that hospital protocols do not allow for automatic testing of patients upon admittance, as blood samples can only be taken with patient consent. This limitation complicates the ability of healthcare professionals to ascertain a patient's status prior to treatment. Professor John Gibson, chairman of the medical staff, stressed the seriousness of the issue, particularly in surgical and emergency medicine, indicating that the lack of knowledge about a patient’s H.I.V. status exposes staff to potential cross-infection. He warned that if this uncertainty continues, it may lead to surgeons refusing to operate unless patients disclose their H.I.V. status. Mr David Close, a board member, expressed concern for the welfare of medical staff, pointing out that while efforts are made to safeguard the rights of individuals with A.I.D.S., it is equally important to protect the rights and safety of healthcare providers. Dr John Holmes, the medical superintendent of community health services, noted that the anonymity of H.I.V. testing is intended to encourage individuals to undergo testing. However, this anonymity complicates the data, meaning that the figure of 380 recorded H.I.V. positive individuals may include some who were tested multiple times. In conclusion, the committee recommended that the Canterbury Hospital Board submit a proposal to the Health Department advocating for the introduction of mandatory reporting of all positive H.I.V. tests, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to safeguarding both patients and healthcare workers in the context of the A.I.D.S. epidemic.
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