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303908
Patient Navigation for Clients Testing HIV+: Streamlining the Linkage to Care Process and Reaching the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Goals
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
: 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM
Caitlin Canfield, MPH
,
Prevention & Primary Care Departments, NO/AIDS Task Force, New Orleans, LA
The CDC recommends that HIV testing programs offer services to link and retain people living with HIV/AIDS in medical care.[1] On July 13th 2010 the National HIV/AIDS Strategy set forth a goal of increasing national linkage to care rates from 65% to 85%.[2]Prior to 2012, our CBO linked newly diagnosed HIV positive clients to primary medical care services through a CDC-funded Comprehensive Risk Counselling Services Coordinator and a state-funded HIV Counselling & Testing Coordinator. This method sustained a 50% linkage to care rate. To improve linkage rates, we implemented a HRSA funded Linkage to Care program in 2012 that included a Patient Navigator position. The rates for newly diagnosed clients linked to care within 90 days of their first test increased from 50% (prior to September 1, 2012) to 87% (September 1, 2012-November 30, 2013). In changing from a team to an individual approach, our agency was able to meet the national goal and create a simpler, more reliable linkage system for clients, case managers, HIV counselors, and providers. Unmeasured program improvements include clear protocols for linking newly diagnosed clients to care and re-engaging out-of-care clients, increased knowledge among prevention staff of the linkage process, improved access to Partner Services, and better program monitoring/evaluation. Linkage to care is a crucial part of HIV prevention and positive health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. There are multiple models that can help programs across the country grow closer to the goals set by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/programs/pwp/linkage.html
[2] http://aids.gov/federal-resources/national-hiv-aids-strategy/overview/
Learning Areas:
Program planning
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the benefits of using a Patient Navigator to link clients to medical care from HIV Testing services
Compare multiple linkage-to-care strategies used to achieve successful linkage from rapid testing to provider appointments
Demonstrate how to create a successful linkage program without funding for a Patient Navigator
List the improvements possible by hiring a Patient Navigator who is responsible for the linkage process
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Health Care Access
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I manage CDC and state funded HIV counseling and testing programs (including linkage to care) around the state. Our programs have had success with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy linkage to care goals. I am interested in sharing our framework to help other CBO's develop their strategies. I have presented twice at the United States Conference on AIDS; Once on Patient Navigation and once co-presented with the CDC and local government on Advancing High Impact Prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
