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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Through the Test & Treat Rapid Access (TTRA) Program, clients with a new HIV diagnosis in Miami-Dade County can access ART, receive other services and counseling, start enrolling in RWHAP, and connect to HIV primary care during the initial visit. At Borinquen Health Care Center, one of the clinical sites participating in TTRA, 76% of clients were virally suppressed within three months of receiving a rapid ART start, and 95% were retained in care for 12 months.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People with HIV who are not in care
HIV diagnosis; Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Miami-Dade County, FL
The Alexis Project used social network recruiting and engagement, peer navigation, and contingency management to reach and engage transgender women of color with HIV who were not engaged in HIV care. Participation in the 18-month intervention improved linkage to care and viral suppression.
Emerging Intervention
Transgender women; Women of color; Women
Linkage to HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Support service delivery model; Outreach and reengagement activities
Los Angeles, 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
The Enhanced Patient Navigation for Women of Color with HIV intervention uses patient navigators, who are non-medical staff in clinical settings, to reduce barriers to health care and optimize care. The intervention was effective in improving linkage to and retention in care, as well as viral suppression.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Women of color; Transgender women; Women
Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Outreach and reengagement activities; Support service delivery model
Atlanta, GA
Los Angeles, CA
Newark, NJ
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
Bienestar developed TransActivate to improve timely engagement and retention in HIV care among Latina transgender women. Linkage coordinators/peer navigators use a strengths-based approach to help clients reach their goals of entering and staying in medical care to ultimately reach viral suppression.
Emerging Intervention
Transgender women; Hispanic/Latina(o/x) people
HIV diagnosis; Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Support service delivery model
Los Angeles, CA
Transitional Care Coordination (TCC) connects people with HIV who are incarcerated with a transitional care coordinator to facilitate access to HIV primary care and other community-based services and supports, following their transition from jail back to the community. TCC aims to establish vital linkages between jail-based and community-based HIV care, and may be implemented by community-based organizations, clinics, health departments, or jails.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People who are justice involved
Linkage to HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Outreach and reengagement activities
Las Vegas, NV
Camden, NJ
Chapel Hill, NC
Healthy Divas focuses on empowering transgender women with HIV to achieve their personal health goals. Three sites implemented the intervention as part of the E2i initiative funded through the RWHAP Part F SPNS program from 2017 through 2021. Both engagement in HIV care and having an antiretroviral therapy prescription improved significantly for clients 12 months after enrollment in Healthy Divas.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Transgender women
Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Support service delivery model
Birmingham, AL
Oakland, CA
Newark, NJ