Healthcare

Biography

Biography: Denise Cummins

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic has evolved long back. At present, hospitals admissions have declined as People Living with HIV (PLHIV) have improved HIV health outcomes. But now as PLHIV are ageing they are developing other health conditions which may require hospital admission. Some nurses may not have experience in providing care to PLHIV, with limited knowledge of HIV infection which could impact negatively on patient care. During educational sessions to nurses, knowledge was varied like 37% thought insects transmit HIV, 17% from sharing a cup with a PLHIV, 12% said you could tell someone had AIDS because they looked tired and ill and 71% were unaware of post exposure prophylaxis for an exposure to HIV. This presentation will discuss the background and development of an online HIV nursing module, by nurses for nursing staff and undergraduate nurses to access whilst on clinical placement at a large area health service in Sydney, Australia. The module provides a brief history of the epidemic and HIV nursing, relevant HIV information, infection control and first aid, case studies and media of PLHIV sharing their stories, as many PLHIV have experienced stigma and discrimination in the health system. A pre and post knowledge test will ascertain evidence of change in knowledge and provide information for future areas of education. It is believed that this online education which will be accessible to a large number of nurses will lead to improved HIV knowledge and confidence of nurses providing care for the PLHIV.