Saskatchewan Ministry of Health

Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s website to:

  • Learn about HIV, including prevention, transmission, symptoms, living with HIV, stigma, and disclosure of HIV status.
  • Learn about who should be tested for HIV.
  • Learn about the types of HIV tests available.
  • Find information about HIV treatment and agencies that provide education and support services.

Saskatchewan Routine
HIV Testing Policy

In January 2013, the former Saskatchewan HIV Provincial Leadership Team (PLT) released the first version of the Routine HIV Testing Policy, along with a number of resources to assist in implementation.

The Ministry of Health adopted and revised the Saskatchewan HIV Testing Policy in 2014. The revision incorporates updated information from the HIV Screening and Testing Guide published in 2014 by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the HIV Testing Guidelines for the Province of British Columbia.

Saskatchewan Routine
HIV Testing Resource Kit

The Saskatchewan Routine HIV Testing Resource Kit for healthcare providers consists of:

Client Information Sheet
UPDATED JANUARY 2016

Provides clients with the information necessary for informed consent. Provide to the client prior to an appointment or interaction. The white side bar summarizes the minimum information required for consent, in plain language.

In-Depth Pre- and Post-Test Counselling
MARCH 2015

A review of optional information related to HIV and HIV testing. This resource can be used by healthcare providers when clients request additional information or need more in-depth counselling. Use of information in this document is at the discretion of the healthcare provider and should be based on client need.

Routine Testing Quick Guide
MARCH 2015

A short reference document depicting the basics of testing: Why, Who, When, How, and What to do with results.

Lab Testing Flow Chart
Updated July 2016

A visual depiction of the HIV testing cascade performed automatically through the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory. Also includes simple instructions for clinical follow-up. Healthcare providers are not expected to have a detailed understanding of the content in this document and can be assured that by simply ordering “HIV Screen”, the cascade will proceed automatically.

Posters

Available for display in public areas to increase awareness and normalize the routine HIV testing process. The photographs included on the posters represent segments of Saskatchewan’s general population, rather than focusing on risk demographics. The intent of this approach is to convey the message that routine rather than targeted testing is encouraged. Space is provided on the posters so that local HIV Strategy Coordinators or organizations can give their contact information in order to provide additional support.

Routine HIV Testing – Postcard

HIV Get Tested Red Ribbon – Poster

HIV Get Tested Red Ribbon – Wallet Card

HIV Point of Care (POC) Testing

A Process Review of the Use of Rapid HIV Point of Care (POC) Testing in Saskatchewan, June 2013

This report was prepared by the Saskatchewan HIV Provincial Leadership Team (PLT) in collaboration with the regional HIV Strategy Coordinators, and the HIV POC testing sites that participated in the survey. This report would not have been possible without the participation and support of the testing sites licensed to conduct HIV Point of Care Testing in the province of Saskatchewan.

Quarterly Saskatchewan HIV Point of Care (POC) Test Reporting Procedure and Standard Work

This document was prepared by the Saskatchewan HIV Collaborative to provide instructions on persons and sites responsible for submitting quarterly HIV POC test reports for inclusion in Saskatchewan Ministry of Health publications and reports.

Download: Appendix A: HIV Point of Care (POC) Testing Reporting Form

HIV Case Reporting Form

Filing this report is mandatory by law. Under The Public Health Act it is mandatory to report all cases of HIV and AIDS to the Medical Health Officer of the regional health authority, following which mandatory information on confirmed cases will be forwarded to the Chief Medical Health Officer.