Important Medical Information for All New or Prospective Parents

HIV Testing
The American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institute of Health have each passed on advisories to advise all pregnant women to have HIV testing during their pregnancy, since newer medical therapies are able to significantly reduce to transmission rate and subsequent infection rate to babies if the treatment is started before delivery. HIV occurrence rates are relatively low in Arizona.

It had been previously recommended that patients have the HIV test, however patients were consented and given the option to accept or decline the test. Now, it is being recommended that patients sign a consent to opt out of testing, since this decision can theoretically put a new baby at risk. We will therefore have any patient that decides not to test for HIV sign a consent stating they understand to possible consequences of not receiving the test. Insurance covers HIV testing and the results remains confidential.

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