(P158) UTILIZATION OF AN OFF-SITE PATIENT NAVIGATOR TO FACILITATE HIV PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS REFERRALS FOR PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Background:
Emergency Departments (EDs) offer a unique opportunity to identify people at increased risk of HIV infection who may otherwise have limited access to the healthcare system. While ED visits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and on the rise in the United States, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescribing and linkage to care for PrEP in the ED setting is not widespread. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a fully remote/off-site HIV PrEP patient navigator to facilitate PrEP access for patients who seek care for STIs in the ED.

Methods:
Between January 1 2023 and June 30 2023, all patients who tested positive for a bacterial STI (gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis) in the ED were eligible for telephone/virtual outreach by an off-site PrEP patient navigator. Interested patients were scheduled for telehealth appointments for PrEP initiation. Demographic and clinical information/outcomes were obtained for all patients.

Results:
During the study period, there were 160 patients eligible for PrEP outreach. PrEP outreach was successfully completed in 75 (47%) of patients, with 46/75 (61%) agreeable to scheduling a PrEP appointment. Of these 46 patients, median age was 30 years old [IQR 23, 35], 25 (54%) were male, 40 (87%) were Black/African American, 1 (2%) was Hispanic/Latino, and 6 (13%) identified as a man who has sex with men (MSM).  Forty three of 46 patients (93%) scheduled an appointment and 35/46 (76%) completed an appointment. Thirteen of 35 (37%) of patients who completed an appointment were prescribed PrEP, with 6/13 (46%) and 2/13 (15%) remaining on PrEP at 3 and 6 months, respectively.

Conclusion:
Use of an off-site patient navigator can facilitate referrals for HIV PrEP for patients who are diagnosed with bacterial STIs in the ED.