Implementing Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy for Acute HIV Infection Within a Routine Testing and Linkage to Care Program in Chicago.

Growing evidence suggests that rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV improves care continuum outcomes. We evaluated process and clinical outcomes for rapid initiation in acute HIV infection within a multisite health care-based HIV testing and linkage to care program in Chicago. Through retrospective analysis of HIV testing data (2016-2017), we assessed linkage to care, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and viral suppression. Of 334 new HIV diagnoses, 33 (9.9%) individuals had acute HIV infection. Median time to linkage was 11 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-19.5) days, with 15 days (IQR 5-27) to initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Clients achieved viral suppression at a median of 131 (IQR: 54-188) days. Of all, 69.7% were retained in care, all of whom were virally suppressed. Sites required few additional resources to incorporate rapid initiation into existing processes. Integration of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy into existing HIV screening programs is a promising strategy for scaling up this important intervention.

Gender Differences in HIV Testing, Diagnosis, and Linkage to Care in Healthcare Settings: Identifying African American Women with HIV in Chicago.

Women account for 25% of all people living with HIV and 19% of new diagnoses in the United States. African American (AA) women are disproportionately affected. Yet, differences in the care continuum entry are not well understood between patient populations and healthcare sites. We aim to examine gender differences in diagnosis and linkage to care (LTC) in the Expanded HIV Testing and Linkage to Care (X-TLC) program within healthcare settings. Data were collected from 14 sites on the South and West sides of Chicago. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the differences in HIV diagnoses and LTC by gender and HIV status. From 2011 to 2016, X-TLC performed 281,017 HIV tests; 63.7% of those tested were women. Overall HIV seroprevalence was 0.57%, and nearly one third (29.4%) of HIV-positive patients identified were cisgender women. Of newly diagnosed HIV-positive women, 89% were AA. 58.5% of new diagnoses in women were made at acute care hospitals, with the remainder at community health centers. Women who were newly diagnosed had a higher baseline CD4 count at diagnosis compared with men. Overall, women had lower odds of LTC compared with men (adjusted odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.78) when controlling for patient demographics and newly versus previously diagnosed HIV status. Thus, interventions that focus on optimizing entry into the care continuum for AA women need to be explored.

Implementing Routine HIV Screening in Three Chicago Hospitals: Lessons Learned.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes routine HIV screening implementation and outcomes in three hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. METHODS: Retrospective data from three hospitals were examined, and routine testing procedures, testing volume, reactive test results, and linkage-to-care outcomes were documented. RESULTS: From January 2012 through March 2014, 40,788 HIV tests were administered at the three hospitals: 18,603 (46%) in the emergency department (ED), 7,546 (19%) in the inpatient departments, and 14,639 (36%) in outpatient clinics. The screened patients varied from 1% to 22% of the total eligible patient population across hospitals. A total of 297 patients tested positive for HIV for a seropositivity rate of 0.7%; 129 (43%) were newly diagnosed and 168 (57%) were previously diagnosed, with 64% of those previously diagnosed out of care at the time of screening. The inpatient areas had the highest seropositivity rate (0.6%). The percentage of newly diagnosed patients overall who were linked to care was 77%. Of newly diagnosed patients, 51% had ≥ 1 missed opportunity for testing (with a mean of 3.8 visits since 2006), and 30% of patients with missed opportunities were late testers (baseline CD4+ counts <200 cells per cubic millimeter). CONCLUSION: Routine screening is an essential tool for identifying new infections and patients with known infection who are out of care. Hospitals need to provide HIV screening in inpatient and outpatient settings--not just EDs--to decrease missed opportunities. Routine screening success will be driven by how notification and testing are incorporated into the normal medical flow, the level of leadership buy-in, the ability to conduct quality assurance, and local testing laws.