ABSTRACT
The number of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases in New York City continues to rise, the hospitals are facing unique clinical and operational challenges. One of the most significant challenges is to meet the personnel requirements to best confront this epidemic. In 1985, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center received the support of the Health Services Improvement Fund to conduct a retrospective review of the utilization of hospital resources by AIDS patients. AIDS patients a whole range of services in addition to clinical care, and often the nurse and other members of the team have an important role in addressing the patients' emotional and psychological needs. The AIDS epidemic is placing a tremendous demand on hospital personnel. The objectives of the training efforts are to update staff information on AIDS, to address their concerns about infection control, virus transmission, and treatment protocols, and to help them cope with the emotional and human dimensions of the problem.
