scholarly journals 878. Telemedicine Implementation in a Midwestern HIV Clinic: One Year Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S531-S531
Author(s):  
Nichole N Regan ◽  
Laura Krajewski ◽  
Nada Fadul

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized the importance of limiting in-clinic interactions with patients who were stable on antiretroviral therapy to promote social distancing. Our HIV clinic adopted telemedicine practices, in line with the HHS Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons With HIV. Several HIV clinics reported lower viral suppression rates during the pandemic. We aim to describe the implementation process as well as year one outcomes of telemedicine at our clinic. Methods In March 2020, we created telemedicine protocols; we also designed and continuously updated algorithms for determining patient eligibility for telemedicine based on recent viral loads and last clinic visit. We monitored outcomes through electronic medical record chart reviews between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. We collected patient demographics, and federal poverty level (FPL) information. We collected baseline and post-intervention rates of viral load suppression (VLS, defined as HIV RNA < 200 copies per mL), medical visit frequency (MVF, defined as percentage of patients who had one visit in each 6 months of the preceding 24 months with at least 60 days between visits) and lost to care (LOC, no follow up within 12 months period). Results We conducted a total of 2298 ambulatory medical visits; 1642 were in person and 656 (29%) were telemedicine visits. Out of those, 2177 were follow up visits (649, 30% telemedicine). There was no difference of telemedicine utilization based on race (28% in African Americans vs. 32% in Whites); ethnicity (30% in Hispanic vs. 30% in Hon-Hispanic); gender (24% in females vs. 30% in males); or FPL (28% in FPL < 200% vs. 31% in FPL >200%). By the end of April 2021, overall clinic VLS rate was 94%, MVF was 48%, and there were 40 patients LOC compared to 92%, 49%, and 43 patients in April 2020, respectively. Conclusion Telemedicine was a safe alternative to routine in-person HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed similar rates of utilization across demographic and FPL status. Applying selection criteria, viral suppression and retention in care rates were not adversely impacted by shift to telemedicine modality. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jeffrey Edwards ◽  
Nyla Lyons ◽  
Wendy Samaroo-Francis ◽  
Leon-Omari Lavia ◽  
Isshad John ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients who default from HIV care are usually poorly adherent to antiretroviral treatment which results in suboptimal viral suppression. The study assessed the outcomes of retention in care and viral suppression by expansion of an intervention using two patient tracers to track patients lost to follow up at a large HIV clinic in Trinidad. Methods Two Social Workers were trained as patient tracers and hired for 15 months (April 2017–June 2018) to call patients who were lost to follow up for 30 days or more during the period July 2016–May 2018 at the HIV clinic Medical Research Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago. Results Over the 15-month period, of the of 2473 patients who missed their scheduled visits for 1 month or more, 261 (10.6%) patients were no longer in active care—89 patients dead, 65 migrated, 55 hospitalized, 33 transferred to another treatment clinic and 19 incarcerated. Of the remaining 2212 patients eligible for tracing, 1869 (84.5%) patients were returned to care, 1278 (68.6%) were virally unsuppressed (viral load > 200 copies/ml) and 1727 (92.4%) were re-initiated on ART. Twelve months after their return, 1341 (71.7%) of 1869 patients were retained in care and 1154 (86.1%) of these were virally suppressed. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that persons were more likely to be virally suppressed if they were employed (OR, 1.39; 95% CI 1.07–1.80), if they had baseline CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm3 (OR, 1.71; 95% CI 1.26–2.32) and if they were retained in care at 12 months (OR, 2.48; 95% CI 1.90–3.24). Persons initiated on ART for 4–6 years (OR, 3.09; 95% CI 1.13–8.48,), 7–9 years (OR, 3.97; 95% CI 1.39–11.31), > 10 years (OR, 5.99; 95% CI 1.74–20.64 were more likely to be retained in care. Conclusions Patient Tracing is a feasible intervention to identify and resolve the status of patients who are loss to follow up and targeted interventions such as differentiated care models may be important to improve retention in care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 727-737
Author(s):  
John Zurlo ◽  
Ping Du ◽  
Alexander Haynos ◽  
Verbenia Collins ◽  
Tarek Eshak ◽  
...  

Young adults living with HIV (YALH) have lower rates of retention in care and HIV viral suppression. Multiple barriers exist to engage YALH in care. We developed and implemented a multifaceted, mobile application-based intervention, “OPT-In for Life,” by targeting YALH to encourage retention in care and eventually viral suppression. The app integrated multiple user-friendly features for YALH to manage their HIV care, including a two-way secure messaging function, HIV-related laboratory results, and appointment or medication reminders. We recruited 92 YALH who were 18 to 34 years old and were newly diagnosed with HIV, had a history of falling out of care, or had a detectable HIV viral load into this intervention. Study participants used the app to manage their HIV care and to communicate and interact with their HIV care team. During the intervention period, the retention rate among our study participants increased from 41.3% at baseline to 78.6% at 6-month follow-up, maintained at 12-month follow-up (79.8%), and slightly decreased to 73.4% at 18-month follow-up but it was still significantly higher than the baseline retention rate ( p < .0001). The viral suppression rate (HIV RNA <200 copies/ml) increased from 64.1% at baseline to about 85% at 6-month and at 12-month follow-up and reached 91.4% at 18-month ( p = .0002) among participants who were retained in care. Our study demonstrated using a HIPAA-compliant mobile application as an effective intervention to engage YALH in care. This mobile technology–based intervention can be incorporated into routine clinical practice to improve HIV care continuum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S539-S539
Author(s):  
Michelle Zhang ◽  
Sharlay Butler ◽  
Jason Kennedy ◽  
Molly McKune ◽  
Ghady Haidar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We sought to characterize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV-related outcomes in a cohort of patients by examining rates of viral load (VL) suppression, retention-in-care, PrEP access, and STIs. Methods This was a single center, retrospective study of adults receiving HIV treatment or HIV/STI prevention services from 01/2019 - 12/2020. HIV outpatient visits were identified through HRSA’s CareWARE. Visits (in-person, telehealth) only included HIV primary care. HRSA core performance measures were utilized (Table 1). STI positivity rates and descriptive characteristics were calculated. New and refill PrEP prescriptions were tabulated. Chi-square tests compared unmatched non-parametric variables; McNemar’s test matched non-parametric variables. Multivariable logistic regression identified variables associated with retention in care and viral suppression. Results 1721 patients received care; 1234 were seen in both years, 334 only in 2019, 153 only in 2020. The number of telehealth visits increased significantly: video (0% to 31%, &lt; 0.001), phone (0% to 0.4%, p &lt; 0.001). Though the proportion of kept appointments increased (57.2% vs 61.2%), the annual retention in care rate decreased from 74.5% to 70.9% (p = 0.002). Overall, 9.7% of patients had detectable VLs at any point. Compared to 2019, a lower proportion of patients maintained VL suppression in 2020, (91.6% vs 83.5% p = 0.075). More patients did not have a VL drawn in 2020 than in 2019 (10.3% vs 2.0 %, p &lt; 0.001). Patients with detectable VLs in 2019 were more likely than those who were undetectable to have detectable VLs in 2020 (OR 18.2, 95% CI 9.91-33.42). Black race was associated with higher likelihood of lack of VL suppression (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.10-3.66). There were no significant differences between gender or age groups in rates of viral suppression, number screened for bacterial STIs or positive results. Visits for new and refill PrEP prescriptions decreased by 59% and 7%, respectively. Conclusion Rates of viral load suppression and retention in care decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. The proportion of clinic visits attended increased after the integration of telemedicine in 2020. These data may be used to inform evidence-based interventions to improve the HIV continuum of care through telehealth. Disclosures Ghady Haidar, MD, Karuys (Grant/Research Support)


1970 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-179
Author(s):  
OR Ugwu

Background: Certain researchers have reported that a child-friendly clinic may improve patient/caregiver satisfaction at clinic attendance. This could serve as an innovation for reducing loss-to-follow up and increasing retention in care.Aim: To assess the impact of making the clinic more child-friendly on clinic experience, retention in care and loss-to-follow up of HIV -infected children.Method: The study was carried out in three phases. Phase one was a satisfaction survey to find out the patient/caregivers’ satisfaction of the clinic environment and services provided using a selfadministered questionnaire. Phase two was the creation of the childfriendly environment and phase three was a post-provision of child-friendly clinic satisfaction survey. The loss-to-follow up rate (failure to return to clinic ≥3months after the last scheduled clinic appointment in a child not known to be dead or transferred out of the facility) and retention rate (remaining alive and receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy) were also determined before and after setting up the childfriendly clinic.Results: There were 146 respondents before the study and 206 respondents after the intervention. The retention rate increased from 62.5% to 82% (p=0.02), while the loss-to-follow up rate dropped from 27.7% to 7.0% (p=0.00).Conclusion: Making the clinic area child-friendly can impact greatly on HIV care by improving patient satisfaction and retention of HIVinfected children in care and reducing loss-to-follow up.Key words: HIV, child-friendly environment, retention in care, loss to follow-up.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Heglar ◽  
Rodney Mood ◽  
Julie L Priest ◽  
Kathy L Schulman ◽  
Gregory P Fusco

Abstract Background Quality measures are effective tools to improve patient outreach, retention in care, adherence, and outcomes. This study benchmarks National Quality Forum–endorsed HIV quality measures in a US clinical cohort. Methods This observational study utilized prospectively captured data from the Observational Pharmaco-Epidemiology Research and Analysis (OPERA) database over 2014−2016 to assess quality measure achievement among patients with HIV in terms of medical visit frequency (#2079), medical visit gaps (#2080), viral suppression (#2082), and antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescriptions (#2083). The proportion of patients meeting each measure was calculated. Generalized estimating equations assessed trends in measure achievement. Results The OPERA sample included 23 059−42 285 patients with similar demographics and characteristics across measurement periods. Overall, 62%−66% of patients met the visit frequency measure (#2079), 81%−85% had no gaps between visits (#2080), 71%−73% achieved viral suppression (#2082), and 92%−94% were prescribed ART (#2083). The adjusted odds of achieving viral suppression and being prescribed ART increased over time by 3% and 19%, respectively, despite a significant decline in patient engagement (16% for #2079, 25% for #2080). Patients &lt;30 years of age were significantly less likely to meet all measures than older patients (P &lt; .0001), with particularly low levels of engagement. Measure achievement also varied by gender, ethnicity, region, and select clinical characteristics. Conclusions Despite gains in the rate of ART prescription and viral suppression, there remains room for improvement in the care of patients with HIV. Strategies for quality improvement may be more effective if tailored by age group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S478-S478
Author(s):  
Ping Du ◽  
John Zurlo ◽  
Tarek Eshak ◽  
Tonya Crook ◽  
Cynthia Whitener

Abstract Background Young people living with HIV (YPLWH) have lower rates of retention in care and HIV viral suppression. Multiple barriers exist to engage YPLWH in care. As nearly all YPLWH use their mobile phones to access health information and to communicate with other people, we implemented a mobile technology-based intervention with the goal to improve HIV care continuum in YPLWH. Methods YPLWH were eligible for this study if they were: (1) aged 18–34 years; (2) newly diagnosed with HIV; (3) having a history of being out of care; or (4) not virally suppressed. We recruited YPLWH during January 2017-May 2018 and followed them every 6 months. We developed a HIPAA-compliant mobile application, “OPT-In For Life,” and let participants use this app to manage their HIV care. The app integrated multiple features that enabled users to communicate with the HIV treatment team via a secure messaging function, to access laboratory results and HIV prevention resources, and to set up appointment or medication reminders. We obtained participants’ demographics, app-usage data, and medical records to evaluate if this mobile technology-based intervention would improve HIV care continuum among YPLWH. We used a quasi-experiment study design to compare the rates of retention in care and HIV viral suppression every 6 months between study participants and YPLWH who were eligible but not enrolled in the study. Results 92 YPLWH participated in this study (70% male, 56% Hispanics or Blacks, 54% retained in care, and 66% virally suppressed at baseline). On average study participants used the app 1–2 times/week to discuss various health issues and supportive services with HIV providers, to access HIV-related health information, and to manage their HIV care. At the 6-month evaluation, compared with 88 eligible YPLWH who were not enrolled in this intervention, study participants had increased rates of retention in care (baseline-to-6-month between participants and nonparticipants: 54%–84% vs. 26%–25%) and HIV viral suppression (66%–80% vs. 56%–60%). Conclusion Our study demonstrates using a HIPAA-compliant mobile app as an effective intervention to engage YPLWH in care. This intervention can be adapted by other HIV programs to improve HIV care continuum for YPLWH or broader HIV populations. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jeffrey Edwards ◽  
Nyla Lyons ◽  
Wendy Samaroo-Francis ◽  
Leon-Omari Lavia ◽  
Isshad John ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Patients who default from HIV care are usually poorly adherent to antiretroviral treatment which results in suboptimal viral suppression. The study evaluated the effect and cost of expanding an intervention using two Patient Tracers to track and return to care patients lost to follow up at a large HIV Clinic in Trinidad.Methods: Two Social Workers were trained as Patient Tracers and hired initially for 6 months (April –September 2017), then extended to 15 months (April 2017 – June 2018) to call patients who were lost to follow up for 30 days or more during the period July 2016 – May 2018 at the HIV Clinic Medical Research Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago. Both the outcomes of the intervention, and costs were assessed over time. Results: Over the 15 month period, of the of 2,473 patients who missed their scheduled visits for one month or more, 261 (10.6%) patients were no longer in active care - 89 patients dead, 65 migrated, 55 hospitalized, 33 transferred to another treatment clinic and 19 incarcerated. Of the remaining 2,212 patients eligible for tracing, 1,794 (81.1%) patients were returned to care at an average cost of $38.09 USD per patient returned to care as compared to 589 of 866 (68%) patients returned to care over the 6 month period (p < 0.001) at an estimated cost of $47.72 USD per patient returned to care (p<0.001). Of the 1,794 patients returned to care, 1,686 (94%) were re-initiated/started on anti-retroviral therapy and 72.7% of these were virally suppressed (viral load <1,000 copies/ml) as of December 2018.Conclusions: Patient Tracing is a feasible and effective intervention to identify and resolve the status of patients who are loss to follow up to bring these patients back into care with the aim of achieving viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy. Over time the effect of costs of patients returned to care demonstrated greater yields making patient tracing a sustainable intervention for programmes to identify and return patients to care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxanna Haghighat ◽  
Elona Toska ◽  
Nontuthuzelo Bungane ◽  
Lucie Cluver

Abstract Background Little evidence exists to comprehensively estimate adolescent viral suppression after initiation on antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines adolescent progression along the HIV care cascade to viral suppression for adolescents initiated on antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. Methods All adolescents ever initiated on antiretroviral therapy (n=1080) by 2015 in a health district of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, were interviewed in 2014–2015. Clinical records were extracted from 52 healthcare facilities through January 2018 (including records in multiple facilities). Mortality and loss to follow-up rates were corrected for transfers. Predictors of progression through the HIV care cascade were tested using sequential multivariable logistic regressions. Predicted probabilities for the effects of significant predictors were estimated by sex and mode of infection. Results Corrected mortality and loss to follow-up rates were 3.3 and 16.9%, respectively. Among adolescents with clinical records, 92.3% had ≥1 viral load, but only 51.1% of viral loads were from the past 12 months. Adolescents on ART for ≥2 years (AOR 3.42 [95%CI 2.14–5.47], p< 0.001) and who experienced decentralised care (AOR 1.39 [95%CI 1.06–1.83], p=0.018) were more likely to have a recent viral load. The average effect of decentralised care on recent viral load was greater for female (AOR 2.39 [95%CI 1.29–4.43], p=0.006) and sexually infected adolescents (AOR 3.48 [95%CI 1.04–11.65], p=0.043). Of the total cohort, 47.5% were recorded as fully virally suppressed at most recent test. Only 23.2% were recorded as fully virally suppressed within the past 12 months. Younger adolescents (AOR 1.39 [95%CI 1.06–1.82], p=0.017) and those on ART for ≥2 years (AOR 1.70 [95%CI 1.12–2.58], p=0.013) were more likely to be fully viral suppressed. Conclusions Viral load recording and viral suppression rates remain low for ART-initiated adolescents in South Africa. Improved outcomes for this population require stronger engagement in care and viral load monitoring.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Nash ◽  
McKaylee M. Robertson ◽  
Kate Penrose ◽  
Stephanie Chamberlin ◽  
Rebekkah S. Robbins ◽  
...  

AbstractThe New York City HIV Care Coordination Program (CCP) combines multiple evidence-based strategies to support persons living with HIV (PLWH) at risk for, or with a recent history of, poor HIV outcomes. We assessed the comparative effectiveness of the CCP by merging programmatic data on CCP clients with population-based surveillance data on all New York City PLWH. A non-CCP comparison group of similar PLWH who met CCP eligibility criteria was identified using surveillance data. The CCP and non-CCP groups were matched on propensity for CCP enrollment within four baseline treatment status groups (newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed and either consistently unsuppressed, inconsistently suppressed or consistently suppressed). We compared CCP to non-CCP proportions with viral load suppression at 12-month follow-up. Among the 13,624 persons included, 15·3% were newly diagnosed; among the 84·7% previously diagnosed, 14·2% were consistently suppressed, 28·9% were inconsistently suppressed, and 41 ·6% were consistently unsuppressed in the year prior to baseline. At 12-month follow-up, 59·9% of CCP and 53·9% of non-CCP participants had viral load suppression (Relative Risk=1.11, 95%CI:1.08-1.14). Among those newly diagnosed and those consistently unsuppressed at baseline, the relative risk of viral load suppression in the CCP versus non-CCP participants was 1.15 (95%CI:1.09-1.23) and 1.32 (95%CI:1.23-1.42), respectively. CCP exposure shows benefits over no CCP exposure for persons newly diagnosed or consistently unsuppressed, but not for persons suppressed in the year prior to baseline. We recommend more targeted case finding for CCP enrollment and increased attention to viral load suppression maintenance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1095-1104
Author(s):  
Merhawi T Gebrezgi ◽  
Diana M Sheehan ◽  
Daniel E Mauck ◽  
Kristopher P Fennie ◽  
Gladys E Ibanez ◽  
...  

Youth aged 13‒24 are less likely to be retained in HIV care and be virally suppressed than older age groups. This study aimed to assess predictors of retention in HIV care and viral suppression among a population-based cohort of youth (N = 2872) diagnosed with HIV between 1993 and 2014 in Florida. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs). Retention in care was defined as evidence of engagement in care (at least one laboratory test, physician visit, or antiretroviral therapy prescription refill), two or more times, at least three months apart during 2015. Viral suppression was defined as having evidence of a viral load <200 copies/ml among those in care during 2015. Among the 2872 youth, 65.4% were retained in care, and among those in care, 65.0% were virally suppressed. Older youth (18‒24 years old) and non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) were less likely to be retained in care, whereas those men who have sex with men, perinatal HIV transmission, living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods, and those diagnosed with AIDS before 2016 were more likely to be retained in care. Those diagnosed with AIDS before 2016 and NHBs were less likely to be virally suppressed, whereas those men who have sex with men and foreign-born persons were more likely to be virally suppressed. Results suggest the need for targeted retention and viral suppression interventions for NHB youth and older youth (18‒24 years-age).


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