What are the current laws regarding Informed Consent and Pre/Post Test Counseling for HIV testing?
A. In Maryland, Informed Consent means that the patient must be explicitly told that they are being tested for HIV, and a separate form consenting to an HIV test must be signed by the patient and placed in their chart. Pre and post-test counseling is designed to inform clients about the mechanisms of HIV transmission, general knowledge about the virus, high-risk behaviors, risk-reduction strategies, and most importantly, emotional preparation and support.
