Developing surveillance system to identify and re-engage known HIV infected clients into care in the Mid-Cumberland Region

Background: Tennessee Department of Health’s (TDH) CAPUS (Care and Prevention in the United States) demonstration project utilized HIV surveillance data to equip Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) Case Managers to identify and locate known persons living with HIV (PLWH) in the Mid-Cumberland Region (MCR) of TN who have been out of care (OOC) for > 1 year and facilitate their re-engagement into HIV care.

Methods: TDH acquired HIV surveillance from TN’s electronic HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) to generate reports listing PLWH in MCR who have been out of care for > 1 year. DIS case investigation removed names of clients who received care within the past year, moved to another state, or were deceased. Remaining clients were located and contacted by DIS for re-engagement. Ryan White Eligibility Services and Accurint© data systems were utilized to obtain demographic and locating information.

Results: From October 2013 to April 2014, 446 PLWH were identified within eHARS to be presumed-OOC; however, through DIS’ case investigation, 77% (343) were verified to be already in care. Of the remaining 103, 11% were non-locatable, 14% were deceased, 16% resided out of state, and 60% (62) were verified to be OOC. Of the 62 located, 35% (22) were re-engaged into medical care and social services, 13% (8) refused re-engagement services, and 52% (32) did not re-engage into care at that time.

Conclusion: Access and utilization of HIV surveillance and locating data systems helped DIS to enhance investigation efforts, especially regarding the verification OOC status and locating information of clients.