TITLE 6. HEALTH CODE
CHAPTER 6-400. MISCELLANEOUS STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
§6-405. Requirements for HIV Antibody Tests of Individual Persons. [26]
(1) Definitions.
(a) AIDS. Acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome -- the most serious stage of disease caused by human
immunodeficiency virus infection.
(b) HIV. Human immunodeficiency virus
(formerly called human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III -- HTLV-III), the
organism that causes AIDS.
(c) HIV Antibody Test. A blood test for the
presence of antibody to HIV, which is considered as evidence of
infection.
(d) Seronegative or Negative. Someone testing negatively on
a serologic (blood) test for HIV antibody.
(e) Seropositive or
Positive. Someone testing positively on a serologic (blood) test for HIV
antibody.
(2) Requirements. All persons who conduct the HIV Antibody
Test on individuals shall, in all cases:
(a) obtain an informed consent
form signed by the individual to be tested; and,
(b) provide pre- and
post-test counseling to the individual tested, regarding the implications of a
positive or negative test.
(3) Elements of Required Counseling. The
counseling required under this Section shall be in accordance with protocols
established by the United States Centers for Disease Control, available upon
request from the Philadelphia Health Department, "The
Department."
(a) Counselors must either be trained by the Department,
or be trained by a contractor or agent authorized by the Department, or they
must have a combination of training and experience deemed acceptable by The
Department.
(4) Pre-test Counseling Required for a Valid Informed
Consent. Pre-test counseling leading to a valid informed consent under this
Section shall be rendered by a counselor qualified in accordance with subsection
(3)(a) of this Section 6-405, and shall include as a minimum, and in addition to
all other requirements of the Section, the following elements:
(a) the
purpose of the test;
(b) the type of confidentiality pertaining both to
the test result and the fact that the test has occurred;
(c) an
explanation of the test;
(d) the degree of test accuracy and the
possibility of a false negative or positive result;
(e) the
implications of a positive or negative result;
(f) the benefits versus
the risks of the test;
(g) the possible impact of knowing one's
serostatus;
(h) the assurance that a patient's health services
will not legally be adversely affected by the test results or the
patient's willingness to be tested; and,
(i) if applicable, an
explanation of confidential versus anonymous testing and the implications of
both.
(5) Language Requirement. All counseling shall be done in a
language understood by the person to be tested.
(6) Penalties. Any
person who violates the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the
penalties imposed by Subsection 6-103(1) of this Title.