NSU Student Health Center selected for presentation at the American Colleges Health Association Annual Meeting

Sandi Scott-Holman, D.O. assistant professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Director of Nova Southeastern University Student Medical Center and April Lawner, B.S., B.A  the Coordinator for the NSU Student Medical Center, have been selected to present this month at the American College Health Association’s Annual meeting in San Diego. Their topic is “Utilizing Rapid HIV Testing in Post Exposure Incidents.” 

Their presentation will highlight the components involved in integrating rapid HIV testing into an organization’s post exposure protocol. The enormous psychological stress a student experiences after an occupational exposure prompted the incorporation of rapid HIV testing into Nova Southeastern University’s protocol.  Having the HIV status of the source patient available at the time of the post exposure alleviates the three to four day waiting time for test results and unnecessary medications which would have been recommended prior to utilizing rapid HIV testing. In addition to reducing a student’s stress level, rapid HIV testing has demonstrated a significant cost savings for the University.  

The Nova Southeastern University Post Exposure Policy can be viewed on the Student Medical Center at www.nova.edu/smc