To underscore Greg's point about the critical issue of TIME, I work for a small, rural, non-profit integrated healthcare network. I meat with the pharmacy directors every other month to coordinate issues.
The major issue at two successive meetings was dealing with employee HIV exposure - which drugs to use (such as wether to use three in "high risk" cases, and two in others") wether to administer the meds without testing, what sort of test, the emotional duress, ability to counsel, what tests were possible, how to stock the drugs to have a small supply available at all sites for the first few days....
In the US tort climate, if we do or don't administer meds based on a non-FDA approved test, we are in deep legal (stuff). If we don't test, we run the risk of an employee becoming HIV infected, or administering meds with potential adverse effects (esp pregnant or possibly pregnant women), and the emotional aspects. Not a pretty
picture. Rapid, FDA approved HIV & pregnancy POC tests to be followed up by lab tests would be indicated.
Anybody have a policy making friend in the FDA or CDC? Scott |
