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.
Search Results
Displaying 11 - 20 of 23
JumpstART launched in 2016 as part of New York State’s Ending the Epidemic initiative, changing the service delivery model of eight sexual health clinics to include an initial prescription of ART after an HIV diagnosis and prior to linkage to the community provider. Between November 2016 and September 2018, 60% of JumpstART clients received ART on the same day as diagnosis. JumpstART clients were also more likely to reach viral suppression within three months compared to non-JumpstART clients.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV
HIV diagnosis; Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
New York City, NY
HHOME offers mobile HIV primary care, behavioral health care, and connection to housing services to people with HIV experiencing homelessness. A centralized HHOME team acts as a hub to meet clients where they are, refer them to housing and support services, and provide ongoing case management and HIV primary care services. Clients participating in HHOME experienced increased retention in care, viral suppression, and connection to stable housing.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People who are unstably housed; People with substance use disorder; People with diagnosed mental illness
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression; Beyond the care continuum
Clinical service delivery model; Support service delivery model
San Francisco, CA
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
Nine sites implemented four evidence-based interventions, collectively known as Addressing STIs: Ask.Test.Treat.Repeat. The four intervention components are audio computer-assisted self-interview sexual history taking, patient self-collection of urogenital and extragenital site chlamydia/gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification test specimens, sexual and gender minority welcoming indicators, and provider training, with the overall goal to routinize STI screening, testing, and treatment in primary care. The interventions increased routine STI screening and testing of bacterial STIs based on reported behavioral risk.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Beyond the care continuum
Clinical service delivery model
Washington, DC
FL
LA
STYLE 2.0 is a multi-component intervention designed to help reduce stigma and social isolation for Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The intervention relies on health care navigators who facilitate linkage and engagement activities. They also connect clients to behavioral health providers who conduct motivational interviewing, as well as to a mobile application that supports all intervention activities. STYLE 2.0 participation has been associated with positive trends across HIV care continuum outcomes, including retention in care and increased viral suppression.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM); Black gay and bisexual men
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Outreach and reengagement activities
Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties, NC
Columbia, SC
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
Three participating clinics—MetroHealth, the University of Kentucky Bluegrass Care Clinic, and Centro Ararat—participated in a RWHAP Part F SPNS initiative from 2016 through 2019 to implement integrated buprenorphine treatment and HIV care. Research has shown that care integration improves HIV outcomes, engagement in substance use disorder treatment, and quality of life for people with HIV. Clients participating in this intervention received integrated opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV care to improve retention in care, viral suppression, and engagement in OUD treatment.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with opioid use disorder
Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Cleveland, OH
Lexington, KY
Ponce, PR
The Patient-Centered HIV Care Model (PCHCM) integrates the services of community-based HIV specialized pharmacists and HIV medical providers to deliver patient-centered care for people with HIV. PCHCM expands upon the medication therapy management model by including information sharing between partnered pharmacy and clinic teams; collaborative medication-related action planning between pharmacists, medical providers, and patients; and quarterly follow-up pharmacy visits. Patients participating in the intervention had improved retention in care and viral suppression rates.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with HIV
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Palm Springs, CA
Washington, DC
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Miami, FL
Albany, GA
Chicago, IL
Howard Brown Health established a specialized drop-in clinic and support groups, and implemented organizational initiatives to provide culturally relevant and gender-affirming services for transgender and non-binary people, including transgender women of color. The goal of this intervention was to optimize engagement in HIV services and primary care. From 2012-2021, the number of transgender and non-binary people served in primary care at Howard Brown Health more than tripled. In addition, after 24 months, participants were more likely to have been prescribed ART and to be virally suppressed than at baseline.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Transgender women
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Chicago, IL
Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in HIV Primary Care is an integrated care approach designed to reduce opioid use and overdose while improving client engagement in HIV care. Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and Med Centro, Inc. implemented this integrated care approach as part of E2i, an initiative funded by the RWHAP Part F SPNS program from 2017–2021. Clients who participated in this intervention received integrated care—treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV in a single setting—to improve retention in care, viral suppression, and engagement in OUD treatment.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with opioid use disorder
Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Lawrence, MA
Ponce, PR