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By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
The Columbus County Heath Department doesn’t stock rapid HIV tests.
That hasn’t been a problem for most county employees and emergency personnel who may be exposed to blood or body fluid while on the job because of an existing agreement with Columbus Regional.
Columbus County Health Director Kim Smith asked commissioners to approve a written agreement that essentially streamlines the process of testing employees exposed and spells out responsibilities and procedures the county and hospital will follow.
“This is in response to several exposures we had back several months ago with employees,” Smith said. “Rapid HIV testing is not done at the health department.”
Smith said the tests are expensive and have a short shelf life.
The previous agreement did not cover all employees, Smith said.
Commissioner Ronald Gore asked if rescue personnel were covered.
“Fire department employees were not and that’s what prompted this,” Smith explained.
The one-page memorandum essentially ensures that the procedure is clear for having people registered as non-patients, blood drawn and samples quickly sent to the lab at the hospital.
The cost of the testing will be billed to the employee’s department.
The contract begins Feb.1 and continues from year to year.
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