6 Colo. Code Regs. § 1009-1 Regulation 11

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Regulation Regulation 11 - Sexually Transmitted Infections

The Board of Health recognizes that non-sexual transmission may occur for some infections, and in individual cases, based on clinical and epidemiologic information, the responsible physician or other healthcare provider may conclude the patient's infection was not sexually acquired.

Information concerning testing, treatment, causes, or the prevention of sexually transmitted infections shall be shared, to the minimum extent necessary to achieve the public health purpose, between the appropriate county, district, or municipal public health agency, contracted agency, Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act-funded agency, other health agency or person providing direct services related to sexually transmitted infections and the Department, as provided by § 25-4-406(1)(b), C.R.S.

With respect to Regulation 5, investigations related to sexually transmitted infections will be limited to the information necessary to confirm the diagnosis, treatment, source of infection, and identification of measures that may be used to prevent additional sexually transmitted infections. The Department shall destroy personal identifying information of all persons with CD4 or viral load results if the investigation subsequent to the report finds no evidence of a sexually transmitted infection.

Section 25-4-411 (1)(a), C.R.S., requires the Department to conduct an anonymous counseling and testing program for persons considered to be at high risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The provision of confidential counseling and testing for HIV is the preferred screening service for detection of HIV infection. Local boards of health who provide HIV counseling and testing through a contractual agreement with the Department shall consider the need for an anonymous HIV testing option in their jurisdiction, upon petition. The consideration of this option must provide an opportunity for public comment in a public forum, including anonymous testimony presented in writing or through an organization. Local boards of health electing to provide confidential HIV testing with an anonymous option must do so in conjunction with publicly-funded HIV testing and counseling projects.

Operational Standards

A. All persons providing HIV testing and counseling at a publicly funded HIV testing and counseling project in a non-health-care setting will have completed an HIV testing and counseling course approved by the Department.

B. All persons performing partner services will have completed courses concerning introduction to sexually transmitted disease interviewing and partner notification, and other related courses as specified by the Department.

C. Of all HIV tests performed at a publicly funded HIV testing and counseling project, 99% of those persons testing HIV positive will receive test results and appropriate post-test counseling related to those test results. Publicly funded HIV testing sites shall make a good faith effort to inform all persons of their test results and shall provide pertinent HIV prevention counseling and referrals.

D. All persons newly diagnosed with HIV will be referred for partner services. A minimum of 75% of those offered partner services will receive an interview and appropriate referrals. Partner services standards will be determined by the best practices guidance and code of conduct standards for sexually transmitted infection prevention providers developed by the Department. These standards shall be made publicly accessible.

E. Operational and evaluation standards for HIV testing and counseling sites will be determined by the best practices guidance developed by the Department.

F. In accordance with § 25-4-404(2), C.R.S., the Department shall create and maintain guidelines, subject to approval by the Board of Health, concerning the public health procedures described in §§ 25-4-412 and 25-4-413, C.R.S. These guidelines will include code of conduct standards for the delivery of partner services and clients' rights, responsibilities and protections.

6 CCR 1009-1 Regulation 11

37 CR 18, September 25, 2014, effective 10/15/2014

38 CR 20, October 25, 2015, effective 11/14/2015

40 CR 08, April 25, 2017, effective 5/15/2017

41 CR 12, June 25, 2018, effective 7/15/2018

42 CR 10, May 25, 2019, effective 7/1/2019

44 CR 18, September 25, 2021, effective 10/15/2021

46 CR 06, March 25, 2023, effective 2/15/2023

46 CR 10, May 25, 2023, effective 6/14/2023