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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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 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
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
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 University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine (UNMC/NM) Specialty Care Center (SCC) is the largest provider of comprehensive HIV care—including primary and HIV-focused medical services as well as multiple support services—in Nebraska. In March 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinic integrated telehealth into its care delivery model to continue serving patients beyond the clinic structure, and developed algorithms that allowed any team member to quickly identify a patient's eligibility for a telehealth visit. The algorithms include the date of the most recent office visit, stability of HIV disease, most recent viral load and CD4 count, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) refill histories as a proxy for medication adherence. Overall, viral suppression rates remained high for all patients regardless of visit type, indicating that telehealth is a successful alternative to in-person visits for providing HIV care.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Use of technology and mobile health
Omaha, NE
The Village Project is an intensive case management-based intervention that harnesses peer navigation and integrated behavioral health services to improve the health outcomes of young Black gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men. The Village Project was associated with increased retention in care and viral suppression.
Emerging Intervention
Black gay and bisexual men; Youth ages 13 to 24; Young adults ages 25 to 34; Black/African American people
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Support service delivery model; Clinical service delivery model
Dallas, TX
SBIRT is designed to screen clients for drug and alcohol use, educate clients on the risks of use, and connect them to substance use treatment services if necessary. SBIRT is an evidence-informed intervention that has been adapted by HIV experts in collaboration with community members to improve health outcomes among people with HIV. Two sites implemented SBIRT as part of E2i, an initiative funded by the RWHAP Part F SPNS program from 2017–2021. Among the clients enrolled in SBIRT, the percentage with a prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and who reached viral suppression both increased significantly.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Retention in HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Wilton Manors, FL
Newark, NJ