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Commentary

Florida Department of Health in Broward County

Implementing 4 Key Components to Reduce Rates of HIV

The Florida Department tion that treats HIV. to developing AIDS and greatly and Treat clients closely to ensure that
of Health in Broward People newly diag- reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to they have completed the eligibility
County (DOH-Broward) is nosed with HIV, as sexual partners. Many clients report process for services, are connected to
implementing 4 key com- well as those who that the decision to start ART and all appropriate services, are keeping
ponents to reduce rates of previously tested quickly achieving undetectable levels appointments and are taking their
new HIV infection in positive and are not of HIV virus provides them with the medication every day. Staff also assist
Broward County. These in regular HIV pri- first experience of empowerment in with addressing barriers and navigat-
include routine HIV testing mary care, are eligi- living with HIV. ing the system of care.
in the healthcare setting ble for Test and Treat. On a daily basis, healthcare DOH-Broward, together with our
and targeted testing in the Clients are offered providers and community partners partners, is working to build upon the
non-healthcare setting, HIV the opportunity to notify DOH-Broward about potential success of the first 4 months of the Test
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis start ART the same Test and Treat clients. DOH-Broward and Treat program and to continuously
(PrEP) and Non-occupa- day of diagnosis or staff meet the client immediately and improve the process for our communi-
tional Post Exposure BY PAULA M. THAQI, returning to care. The offer them the option of Test and Treat. ty. Along with the implementation of
Prophylaxis (nPEP), com- M.D., M.P .H program benefits the If the client accepts, the staff member routine HIV testing in the healthcare
munity outreach and Test client’s health and the accompanies the client to see an HIV setting and targeted testing in the non-
and Treat. On May 1, 2017, community. Since the primary care physician the same day at healthcare setting, PrEP and nPEP and
DOH-Broward, in partnership with the program began, over 335 clients have one of the participating Test and Treat community outreach, Test and Treat
Broward County Ryan White Part A been enrolled in Test and Treat. providers. has the potential to prevent new HIV
Grantee Office, HIV testing sites (reg- Department of Health and Human These include AIDS Healthcare infections in our community and
istered), hospitals, federally qualified Services (DHHS) Guidelines currently Foundation, Broward Community and improve the health of people living
health centers, community based recommend ART for all people living Family Health Centers, Broward with HIV/AIDS.
organizations, emergency departments with HIV. Increasing data show a med- Health, Care Resource, Children’s
and physicians, launched Test and ical benefit to the client when immedi- Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Dr. Paula Thaqi is Director, Florida
Treat in Broward County. ate ART is initiated, particularly during Memorial Healthcare Systems and sev- Department of Health in Broward
Test and Treat is a voluntary clinical acute/early HIV infection. ART eral private infectious disease prac- County. For more information, visit
program providing immediate entry decreases the amount of HIV virus in tices. In most cases, the client receives broward.floridahealth.gov or
into HIV primary care and initiation of the blood to undetectable levels, which a 30 day supply of medication immedi- call (954) 467-4700 ext. 5233.
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), medica- makes people far less likely to progress ately. DOH-Broward staff follow Test

Cover Story: Liz Dudek Brings Wealth of Healthcare Knowledge

to New Role at Greenberg Traurig

Continued from page 1
things where I’d always worked to the accomplish?” care, Dudek hopes to make things easier Baby Boomers?” she asked.
private side,” said Dudek, adding that Dudek has a history of making things for clients in the industry, even as it con- “And of course, finding ways to fund
her decision was made easier because happen; as secretary of the Agency for tinues to evolve. “In addition to watch- mental health services is a huge issue,”
she’s known some of the partners in the Health Care Administration from 2010- ing what’s happening on a federal level, she continued. “On top of the opioid cri-
firm’s Tallahassee office since the 1980s. 16, she oversaw one of the largest there’s a lot going on in the state,” she sis, substance abuse permeates every-
In her new role, Dudek helps the Medicaid programs in the nation. explained, noting that the legislative thing. Providing better mental health
firm’s clients navigate the healthcare sys- She and her staff successfully imple- process is beginning earlier each year. services means fewer ER visits, less
tem, interact with agencies, and better mented the Statewide Medicaid “Baby Boomers are coming into their homelessness, less child abuse, fewer
understand legislative affairs and their Managed Care Program, moving the vast own, and we need to be on top of the kids born into the Medicaid program,
accompanying issues. majority of Medicaid patients from a fee- types of healthcare services they need,” and a better economy.”
“It’s very exciting to be a part of this for-service program to a managed care she added. “We need to look at what liv- Having experienced the headaches of
team; they know every nook and cranny program, and also established the Care ing in the electronic age means to navigating the healthcare industry as a
of transactional law,” she said. “My Provider Background Screening healthcare delivery, and to prepare for consumer in retirement, Dudek is happy
strength lies in knowing the processes in Clearinghouse. the fact that healthcare is moving to an that she’s now in a position to help steer
the state, the people, and the approaches “The screening clearinghouse en - outpatient or at-home basis.” clients at Greenberg Traurig through
to take; I can provide an education on velops all managed healthcare plans, As the trend toward “bedless” hospi- their own legislative and agency hur-
what is required and set up the linkages providers, and health and social service tals grows, the industry also needs to dles. “There are so many bits and
to pull things together and move for- agencies in the state so that someone look at how to fund programs such as pieces,” she said. “It’s a very complicated
ward. like a physician, who once needed four telemedicine, as well as where to find process.”
“I especially like strategizing with separate background screenings to work and train the future workforce, accord-
clients about how to achieve their in different places, can now come to a ing to Dudek. “How do we get individu- For more information, visit
goals,” she added. “Are their goals real- one-stop shop. It’s a much more simpli- als interested in hands-on nursing, espe- www.gtlaw.com
istic? And if not, what can we do to fied process,” she explained. cially when there are fewer of the next or call (850) 222-6891.
bring them closer to what they want to As a result of her experience in health- generation to staff the needs of aging

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10 September 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News