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 37
This nine-month program tailored services for people with HIV by bundling three to five evidence-informed care strategies for each client, such as mental health referrals, transportation assistance, appointment reminders, and pill boxes. A primary care physician, case manager, and pharmacist coordinated with each client to address their specific needs. After the intervention, 70.1% of previously non-suppressed clients were virally suppressed.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with HIV
Viral suppression
Support service delivery model
Kansas City, KS
The Rapid ART Start Protocol focuses on helping veterans with a new HIV diagnosis access ART and comprehensive treatment as soon as possible. A retrospective cohort study showed positive outcomes, including decreases in the time to first appointment, the time to ART initiation, and the time to reach viral suppression. In addition, patients receiving the intervention were more likely to reach viral suppression compared to patients seen pre-intervention at the same clinic.
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
Atlanta, GA
Taking Care of Me is a video- and poster-based intervention to promote prompt ART initiation and medication adherence for people with HIV. The video and posters are designed for use in HIV clinics, drawing on the example of similar initiatives launched in public health clinic waiting rooms that aim to reduce incidence of sexually transmitted infections. A trial testing the efficacy of Taking Care of Me found that clients exposed to the video were more likely to be prescribed ART and reach viral suppression.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Outreach and reengagement activities
Huntsville, AL
Atlanta, GA
POP-UP provides low-barrier comprehensive HIV primary care, substance use services, mental health services, and case management to people who are homeless and unstably housed with the goal of retaining clients in care and improving viral suppression. Among POP-UP participants, 44% who were unstably housed and not virally suppressed at the start of the study were virally suppressed 12 months after enrollment.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People who are unstably housed
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
San Francisco, CA
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
OPT-In For Life is a social media-based intervention that promotes advancement along the HIV care continuum for young adults (ages 18 to 34) with HIV. During the 18-month intervention, OPT-In For Life used multiple social media platforms and a mobile application to provide HIV-related and positive lifestyle resources. Young adults enrolled in OPT-in For Life demonstrated improved retention in HIV care and higher rates of viral suppression after participation.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Young adults ages 25 to 34; Youth ages 13 to 24
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
PA
The goals of the Emergency Department and Hospital-Based Data Exchange for Real-Time Data to Care (ED Alert) intervention are to reengage people with HIV in care and to improve viral suppression rates. This is achieved using a real-time data exchange system that connects clients presenting to the emergency department with health department linkage specialists. ED Alert increased viral load testing and viral suppression over six months following a provider visit in the post-intervention period.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with HIV who are not in care
Linkage to HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Data utilization approach
Seattle, WA
Clínica Bienestar (Spanish for “Wellness Clinic”) was developed to provide comprehensive, integrated HIV primary care services to Spanish-speaking and bilingual people of Puerto Rican ancestry, with HIV who inject drugs. Clínica Bienestar is a multilevel, multipronged intervention combining evidence-based practices in behavioral health and HIV medical care with a transnational approach to care. Clínica Bienestar positively impacted retention in HIV medical care and viral suppression.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Hispanic/Latina(o/x) people
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Support service delivery model
Philadelphia, PA
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
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