The RWHAP Best Practices Compilation gathers and disseminates interventions that improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum. Explore the Compilation to find inspiration and new ideas for improving the care of people with HIV. Learn more about the Best Practices Compilation and submit your innovation today for possible inclusion.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10
Kern County Rapid ART links people with a new diagnosis of HIV to ART. The Kern County Health Officer’s Clinic identifies people with a new diagnosis of HIV through onsite testing, surveillance data, and referrals from local hospital emergency departments. Kern County Rapid ART provides support services and refers clients to other community clinics for ongoing care. A study of clients with a new diagnosis of HIV in 2021 found that on average, Kern County Rapid ART clients were linked to care and provided ART within two days of diagnosis.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People with HIV who are not in care
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy
Clinical service delivery model
Bakersfield, CA
Positive Care Center implemented the Rapid Access program in 2018, providing clients with ART on the same day as HIV diagnosis. Pharmacists, embedded within Positive Care Center’s care team, help clients with their treatment plans and adherence strategies. Over 90% of clients served through Rapid Access in 2021 received ART on the same day as diagnosis, and 82% of clients were retained in care at six months.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People with HIV who are not in care
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Minneapolis, MN
The Huntridge Family Clinic launched the Rapid Start Initiative to provide same-day ART treatment and comprehensive case management to clients with a new diagnosis of HIV. Over 90% of clients received ART on the same day as diagnosis, and 78% of clients were retained in care within the first year of starting treatment.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy
Clinical service delivery model
Las Vegas, NV
Virginia Rapid Start launched with HIV care providers across the state with goals to initiate ART for clients within 14 days of HIV diagnosis and to improve access to, and retention in, high-quality HIV care and support services. Through Virginia Rapid Start, providers initiated ART medications within an average of four days of HIV diagnosis, as compared with the statewide average of 28 days. Virginia Rapid Start clients had higher rates of viral suppression compared to both the RWHAP Part B overall and Virginia overall. The success of Virginia Rapid Start led VDH to expand the program to the entire Virginia RWHAP Part B.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
VA
LA Links is a combined data-to-care and client navigation approach that cross-references routinely collected HIV surveillance data with other secondary data sources to identify and locate people with HIV who are not in care, as well as those who are in care, but with high viral loads. Originally implemented in 2013 as part of the Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project, LA Links improved linkage to care, reengagement in care, and viral suppression. Louisiana expanded the program statewide in 2016.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with HIV who are not in care; People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Data utilization approach; Outreach and reengagement activities
Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, LA
TAVIE Red is a mobile application that aims to improve retention in HIV care and address social determinants of health. It helps case managers connect with clients and uses gamification, a technique with elements of gameplay such as earning points and completing quests, to increase engagement with HIV care and psychological self-care management tools. TAVIE Red participants overwhelmingly reported that the technology helped them manage their HIV diagnosis.
Emerging Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People with HIV who are not in care
Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
RI
The HIV Clinical Pharmacist Services intervention shortens the time between referral to and engagement in care by allowing newly referred clients to see pharmacists in addition to other clinical providers for their initial appointment. This intervention is supported by findings from a retrospective cohort study that took place from 2013 to 2017 at a RWHAP-funded clinic. In addition to significantly decreasing the time between referral and initial visit, clients who saw a pharmacist also experienced shortened time to antiretroviral therapy initiation and viral suppression compared to those who only saw non-pharmacist providers.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with HIV; People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Systems/structural interventions
Oklahoma City, OK
Project ACCEPT is designed to improve engagement and retention in medical care for youth ages 16 to 24 years with newly diagnosed HIV. The educational and skill-building intervention was deployed at four demonstration sites and increased rates of medication use and appointment adherence in comparison to a control group. Although originally developed for cisgender youth, Project ACCEPT may be adapted for gender-diverse people.
Evidence-Based Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; Youth ages 13 to 24
Retention in HIV medical care
Support service delivery model
Chicago, IL
Detroit, MI
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
PositiveLinks is a mobile platform deployed by clinics or community-based organizations to connect people with HIV to a digital support community. The client-facing app helps people with a new diagnosis of HIV become engaged in care and helps people at risk of being lost to care overcome barriers related to geographic or social isolation. From the app, people can access Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)-compliant patient dashboards, secure messaging, and patient lab records. People who used PositiveLinks had increased rates of retention in care and viral suppression.
Evidence-Based Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People living in rural areas
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
VA
The Test and Treat initiative, implemented by Oklahoma State University, connects people to antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 14 days of HIV diagnosis through streamlined intake and initial clinic visit protocols and 30-day medication starter packs. Participants in Test and Treat are linked to care and reach viral suppression sooner, and are more likely to be retained in care, as compared with people in standard care.
Emerging Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression; Retention in HIV medical care
Clinical service delivery model
Tulsa, OK