Providing a HIV test through POC has many potential benefits:

• Increased acceptance of HIV testing among some individuals.
  
• Individuals undergoing HIV POC testing are more likely to receive their test result,
  
• The rapid turnaround time associated with HIV POC testing can guide urgent decision‐making to prevent HIV infection or to improve patient care.
  

All of these may result in timelier detection of HIV, resulting in improved clinical outcomes; as well as to potentially reduce possible secondary infections.

The HIV POC test uses specially designed kits which use a few drops of capillary blood (obtained by a finger prick) to provide a test result in a few minutes. POC tests are usually provided by a nurse or doctor, but can also be provided by other health care professionals or other staff, following the completion of specific training. 

Any health care setting in BC may be eligible to be a POC testing location with the provincial POC program - this may include public and First Nations/Indigenous health units, physician and nurse practitioner practices, and non-governmental organizations.

Test kit resources are limited and allocated per year, per regional Health Authority, based on population size and burden of HIV disease. Health Authority partners decide where and how these resources are allocated based on their HIV Testing Implementation Plans.

Not all applicants are approved for a given fiscal year, and the level of support may change over time, based on what kit resources are available.

Health Authority partners collaborate with First Nations/Indigenous community representatives to discuss HIV testing needs in communities falling within their geographic area.

Resources may be available for single testing events such as Health/Wellness Fairs. Please discuss with your appropriate Health Authority partner.

There are several steps to request access to HIV POC test kits, and/or support as a testing location:

• work with your health authority / health director to assess readiness for POC in your community
• contact the Provincial POC HIV Testing Program and/or Health Authority partners to discuss the possibility of POC implementation or one-time use
• receive training about HIV testing and how to use the POC test kit (see the courses in Education & Development)
  
• ensure that your site is ready for testing and storage of POC test kits and quality control materials

The provincial POC program provides program resources including modifiable templates and guides to assist in the set up of new sites and to support existing ones (see Resources).

If you are interested in offering POC HIV testing at your location, please contact the program to receive further information about the test and the steps for implementation.