Backed by a poll showing strong student support, Aids Education and Outreach is calling for University Health Services (UHS) to change its HIV testing policy to one which will completely protect the identity of the patient.

While UHS is not officially reconsidering its testing policy at the moment, the organization is open to dialogue on the question, said Linda J. Frazier, a UHS health educator who supervises the students of Aids Education and Outreach (AEO).

UHS now offers confidential testing, the results of which go on the patient's permanent medical record.

The alternative endorsed by Aids Education and Outreach is anonymous testing, which identifies a patient only by bar code and keeps the results completely secret.

In a December phone poll of 244 randomly-selected students, AEO found that of those who understood the difference between the two types of test 75 percent wanted UHS to switch to the anonymous tests.

Those who have been tested can face discrimination if that information becomes public, said AEO Co-Director Suzanne M. Gutter '95.

"With this current policy [confidential testing], we recommend that people go to alternative testing sites," Gutter said. "There are ways that insurance companies and employers can acquire and use those results to suit their purposes."

Frazier acknowledged that confidential testingcannot completely protect patients' test resultsfrom outside scrutiny.

Health records can be subpoenaed in courtcases, she said.

If anonymity is important, Frazier said sheherself recommends the patient seek an alternativesite, such as Cambridge City Hospital, whichoffers completely anonymous tests.

UHS has a number of reasons for dealining tooffer the anonymous tests, Frazier said.

"AEO"s goal is a good one," she said. "Butthere are a number of crucial implications thatneed to be addressed."

Instituting an anonymous testing program wouldrequire substantial time and effort to support thestandardization of protocols and counseling,Frazier said.

To make the switch to anonymous testing,physicians and nurse practitioners would have tobe trained to offer precisely the same advice andinformation to patients, she said.

Paying for such training could involve seekingsupport from the state, Frazier said, which wouldbe a concern for UHS officials.

"If we get outside funding, we need to askwhether UHS would still remain a health servicewith access limited to the Harvard staff andstudents," she said.