Arrowhead Regional Medical Center awarded EDSP Grant – Welcome to San Bernardino County

FROM LEFT: Sydni Harford, Amanda Alvarado, Cynthia Turk, Josue Ochoa, Dr. Sharon Wang, Dr. Carol Lee, Dr. Rodney Borger, Sarah Cairney, Heather Cockerill

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) was awarded the Emergency Department Syphilis/HIV/HCV Screening Program (EDSP) grant by Public Health Institute/Bridge and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). ARMC will receive $625,000 to establish or grow emergency department opt-out testing, treatment and aftercare for patients to help control these epidemics statewide. The opt-out screening model informs patients that, unless they opt out, they will receive the tests as part of their standard ED care.

Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission rates are on the rise throughout the country, including San Bernardino County. Syphilis has reemerged as a significant public health concern. The rise in syphilis has disproportionately affected certain populations. HIV cases also continue to rise despite significant advancements in testing, prevention methods and aftercare. Moreover, many individuals infected with HCV remain unaware of their status due to the asymptomatic nature of the infection during its early stages.

Thanks to the EDSP grant, ARMC will be expanding access to testing to identify those affected by syphilis, HIV and HCV, connect them to appropriate treatment and care, and ultimately prevent long-term health consequences.

CDPH partnered with PHI/Bridge to create a program that will help expand routine opt-out testing for syphilis, HIV and HCV in emergency departments throughout the state. Emergency departments, such as ARMC’s Emergency Room, are uniquely positioned to identify and treat those who might otherwise remain undiagnosed, thereby helping to reduce care barriers. Participating hospitals will be given support to expand their capacity to provide opt-out testing and patient education, begin treatment and utilize navigators to link patients to follow-up care. The opt-out screening model informs patients that, unless they opt out, they will receive the tests as part of their standard ED care. In February 2023, ARMC partnered with the Department of Public Health to pilot the project that embeds Communicable Disease Investigators (CDIs) in the emergency department. The onsite CDIs provide realtime linkage to care services to ED patients diagnosed with syphilis, HIV, or HCV, and ensure timely submission of surveillance records.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is a 456-bed university-affiliated teaching hospital licensed by the State of California Department of Public Health, operated by San Bernardino County, and governed by the Board of Supervisors. It is ARMC’s mission, in an environment of learning and innovation, to serve our diverse community with high-quality, compassionate care. The hospital, located on a 70-acre campus in Colton, California, operates the Edward G. Hirschman Burn Center, a level I trauma center, a comprehensive stroke center, a behavioral health center, and five primary care centers. ARMC also provides more than 40 outpatient specialty care services. ARMC is helping to achieve the Countywide Vision by addressing the community’s wellness and educational needs. ARMC is the primary teaching hospital for the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM). The university welcomed its first class of students in 2018. For more information on CUSM, visit https://www.cusm.org. For more information about ARMC, visit https://www.arrowheadregional.org.

Additional County Update News – February 1, 2024