The opioid epidemic has profoundly impacted public health in the United States. In addition to alarmingly high rates of overdose deaths, we have seen a sharp increase in the rates of infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as a direct result of opioid use. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, creating new challenges for healthcare providers, patients, and communities alike.
CONSIDER THE FACTS
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, approximately 10% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States were attributed to injection drug use.1
- The CDC also reports that hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants in the United States, and injection drug use is the most common risk factor for HCV transmission.2
- Many hospitals have reported critical staffing shortages over the course of the pandemic, particularly when case numbers were high. During the Omicron surge in January and February 2022, the 7-day average of hospitals reporting critical staffing shortages peaked at 22% during mid-January 2022.3
Diagnosis is the first step to treatment. For example, rapid point of care testing for HIV can detect the virus within minutes and can be performed in a variety of settings, including community health centers, family medicine practices, and emergency departments. This testing is critical to identifying individuals with HIV, starting them on antiretroviral therapy, and reducing their risk of transmitting the virus to others. Even people who test HIV negative can link to PrEP offering providers a care pathway to support on-going HIV prevention. Similarly, rapid point of care testing for HCV can detect the virus within 20 minutes, allowing healthcare providers to identify individuals who may benefit from treatment and reduce the spread of the disease.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid point of care testing has become even more important in identifying and isolating individuals with COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus. Rapid antigen tests can provide quick results, making them an essential tool for healthcare providers to quickly diagnose COVID-19 cases.
As a rep, understanding the importance of point of care testing and the opportunity it presents to improve health is key. With the opioid epidemic causing a surge in infectious diseases, there has never been a more important time to talk to healthcare providers about testing their patients. By emphasizing the benefits of rapid point of care testing and providing the right tools and resources, you can help healthcare providers identify undiagnosed individuals quickly, start them on treatment, and improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
Rapid point of care testing can be done through OraSure’s family of products which includes testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and COVID-19. OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test, and InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test4 offer easy, flexible, and accurate testing options for providers across diverse settings to engage a range of patients.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
To start a conversation with your customers, consider asking the following questions:
- How has the opioid epidemic impacted your patient population?
- How are you currently addressing the challenges of infectious disease testing and treatment?
- How might rapid testing improve the lives of your patients and communities?
By engaging your customers in these conversations, and by offering rapid point of care diagnostic solutions, you can help healthcare providers diagnose infectious diseases, and grow your business at the same time.
1 www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/hiv-idu.html
2 www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm#transmission
3 aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/9cc72124abd9ea25d58a22c7692dccb6/aspe-covid-workforce-report.pdf
4 This product has not been FDA cleared or approved; but has been authorized by FDA under an EUA. The emergency use of this product has been authorized only for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. This product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. §