Beth Israel Lahey Health Provides Expanded HIV and STI Testing to Sexual Assault Survivors
Free HIV Prevention for Assault Survivors at BILH Emergency Departments
BOSTON — Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) has expanded access to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and treatment for survivors of sexual assault who are treated in the emergency department. These survivors are now guaranteed a full course of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention when they present to a BILH hospital emergency department. Previously, survivors would receive only a starter dose while in the emergency department and would need to return to a pharmacy to receive additional doses.
BILH is the first healthcare system in the region to guarantee this treatment to patients of all ages, which is provided at no cost to individuals. This effort was led by John Marshall, vice president, clinical pharmacy services, BILH Pharmacy and Chris Fischer, MD, chair of emergency medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital.
“Providing access to a full course of PEP treatment in our emergency departments increases the chance that survivors of sexual assault will complete the full course, reducing their risk for exposure to HIV,” said Rob Fields, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer, BILH. “This has been a true system effort, with teams working collaboratively across our hospital emergency departments and BILH Pharmacy.”
BILH was recognized for this work by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) at their 2026 Victim Rights Award Ceremony in late April, receiving the Corporate Leadership Award.
“We are honored to be recognized by MOVA for our work to support sexual assault survivors,” added John Marshall, vice president, clinical pharmacy services, BILH Pharmacy. “Our hope is that through this change, we are able to ease the burden sexual assault survivors face in trying to get preventative medication.”
“This update helps increase access to these medications for survivors of sexual assault,” said Chris Fischer, MD, chair, emergency medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital. “The drop off rate for accessing this treatment after leaving the emergency department was high, and we are already seeing improvements since implementing this change.”
About Beth Israel Lahey Health
Beth Israel Lahey Health is a healthcare system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
