Summary: We interviewed more than 150 diverse Ryan White providers from across the country and the clients they serve to create a compendium of best practices and other tools to help HIV-service providers implement Rapid Start.
As an HIV service professional, you know that hopes for ending the HIV epidemic depend in large measure on maximizing the benefits of antiretroviral treatment (ART) by making sure clients receive treatment as soon as possible. Providing ART to people within seven days of new HIV diagnosis or re-engagement in care —Rapid Start— has been shown to increase rates of ART uptake and markedly reduces time to viral suppression compared to later ART initiation.
The question for health care professionals is often not whether to implement Rapid Start, but how.
The research
Since 2020, CAI’s Rapid Antiretroviral Treatment Dissemination Assistance Provider (DAP) project has been working with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP)-funded programs (i.e., clinical teams, Part A/B staff, CBOs) to identify innovative and effective models for providing Rapid Start for people who test newly positive for HIV—or are re-engaging in care. While conducting field visits, we interviewed over 150 diverse RWHAP providers from across the country, and the clients they serve. They described the positive impact on HIV care continuum outcomes that result from providing Rapid Start services. We packaged what we learned into a set of resources that showcase best practices for implementing Rapid Start.
While this information is especially relevant to RWHAP-funded staff (administrators, multidisciplinary clinical team members, and supportive service providers), it was designed to benefit all people working in the HIV care field.
What we learned
Providers told us that the data convinced them of the importance of implement Rapid ART. And that once a patient is engaged in care, they do come back. “We really don’t see as many patients who disappear after that initial visit; they want to come back.” Providers also emphasized the importance of learning from peers when developing and enhancing service delivery.
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New resources for HIV-service providers
We’ve incorporated the lessons we learned from patients and providers into a set of resources to help you implement Rapid ART services.
- Compendium of Rapid Start Best Practices. Information describing the core elements of providing Rapid Start services and associated best practices identified by professionals, including planning, building buy-in, and financing Rapid Start services.
- Profiles of eight Rapid Start sites. Descriptions of how Rapid Start services were financed and tailored at eight diverse sites.
- Rapid Start cost estimate tools. To assist providers who want to implement Rapid Start services in estimating costs associated with planning, implementing, and sustaining Rapid Start services.
- Patient and provider perspectives videos. Four videos feature the perspectives of clients and health care providers.
The Rapid ART Dissemination Assistance Provider (DAP) project is one of several CAI initiatives that have helped improve HIV services since the start of the epidemic. Read about other CAI projects addressing HIV/AIDS on our website.
Tony Jimenez, MD, PhD
Senior Vice President, CAI
Jimenez has more than three decades of experience in adult education, program management, training, and curriculum development covers a wide variety of areas, including high-impact prevention, HIV/AIDS, human sexuality, and STIs and communicable diseases. He has provided training and technical assistance to more than 30,000 service providers across the U.S. and in 26 other countries.