Reaching families in a pediatric hospital; Success in HIV treatment compliance and outreach

Issues: Family AIDS Clinic and Educational Services (FACES) program at Nationwide Children's Hospital provides HIV prevention, testing, treatment and support services to East Columbus, Ohio. East Columbus is primarily African American (83%) and many are living under the poverty line (37%). Description: The FACES program recognized that HIV+ parents who were not compliant with their treatment, were less likely to miss a medical appointment for their child. Defining our mission as doing what is best for the family, the FACES program expanded their reach beyond pediatrics to include a patients' family – regardless of age or ability to pay. Lessons Learned: By expanding our reach beyond pediatrics, FACES has been able to enroll whole families into enhanced healthcare services. FACES staff assesses each family for their ability to navigate the local healthcare system and creates linkages for families that need them. Our goal is to meet patients “wherever they are at” and to encourage the adoption of health family behaviors, including taking HIV treatment medications. By enrolling the entire family treatment compliance is increased and overall health improves with the greater access (and uptake) of full spectrum services. Recommendations: HIV programs need to expand beyond their parameters in order to stem the tide of new HIV infections. As populations that are susceptible to HIV are vulnerable to a myriad of other social and health issues, a patient centered clinic in a full service hospital with relationships to university research and mobile health vans form a seamless continuum of care.