The overall goal of the RAPID (Rapid ART Program Initiative for HIV Diagnoses) program is to create a set of “hubs” around the city where persons newly diagnosed with HIV (or out of care) can rapidly access antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have a smooth transition to their medical home. In order to accomplish this goal, a RAPID steering committee established hub locations, standard operating procedure (SOP) for ART start, and SOP for transition to a primary medical home. The committee works with SF Department of Public Health surveillance (now “ARCHES”) to track the uptake and outcomes of persons participating in the program. We build on the existing LINCS programs at SFDPH to create and support hubs for rapid initiation of ART to individuals.
We start ART:
Within 48 hours –
- If acute/early infection (recent negative Ab test, RNA+/Ab– or recent symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome) or
- Evidence of advanced infection (opportunistic infection or a CD4 count of less than 200)
Within 5 days –
- All other newly HIV-diagnosed persons
The program aims to provide ART for up to 5 days for these individuals until they are transitioned into their medical home.
RAPID Resources
New & Updated Resources, June 2024
We’ve added a number of new or recently updated resources on the website, see links below. Many thanks to GTZ-SF committees and community partners for developing & sharing these critical resources. *New* Doxy-PEP Info sheet in English and Spanish for patients – here and here (en español) – SF City Clinic Doxy-PEP fact sheet for healthcare providers…
(May 2024 Update) RAPID Provider Detailing Brochure “Rapid ART: Immediate ART initiation at HIV diagnosis and re-engagement in care”
Download from here. If you have questions, please contact Susa Coffey (susa.coffey@ucsf.edu), Chair of the GTZ-SF RAPID, Restart & Retention Committee.
Ward 86 shares clinical considerations and recommendations for starting patients on CAB/RPV LA therapy [Updated May 2024]
Ward 86, established in January 1983, is a large HIV clinic based at San Francisco General Hospital at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Ward 86 serves a publicly-insured and underinsured population of people with HIV and those at risk of HIV in the city of San Francisco. Purpose of this protocol Provide guidance…
RAPID Program Resources
Below are San Francisco RAPID Program resources that can be adapted to your city or jurisdiction’s needs. Please contact the GTZ-SF RAPID Committee Chair Dr. Susa Coffey (susa.coffey@ucsf.edu) if you have questions about any of these materials or would like to arrange a time to talk about our respective initiatives or programs. Documents *Updated* RAPID…
RAPID News & Updates
Hep C Elimination in San Francisco – 2025 Spring Consortium Meeting
At this meeting, we focused on Hepatitis C elimination efforts in the City for both people with HCV and those living with HCV and HIV. We had great data presentations by Victoria Osasah, Rachel Grinstein, and Dr. Grace Haser, followed by an insightful discussion with the evening’s panelists – community member, Carolyn, Dr. Asa Clemenzi-Allen, and…
World AIDS Day 2024 Consortium Meeting – Black/African-American Health & Wellness in San Francisco
For this World AIDS Day meeting, we focused our discussion on the health and wellness of San Francisco’s Black/African-American communities. Dr. Hyman Scott shared an overview of the latest HIV epidemiology data, which was followed by a presentation on the Umoja Health Access Point and Rafiki Coalition For Health & Wellness by Dr. Demisha Burns.…
2024 Fall Consortium Meeting – Social determinants of health affecting SF’s Latine/x communities
This month’s Consortium meeting we focused on the social determinants of health & health inequities affecting the City’s Latinas/e/x communities, including immigration. The agenda also included a presentation with new data from the SF Department of Public Health’s 2023 HIV Epidemiology Annual Report. Thanks to Dr. Carina Marquez and Jorge Zepeda for leading the meeting…
New & Updated Resources, June 2024
We’ve added a number of new or recently updated resources on the website, see links below. Many thanks to GTZ-SF committees and community partners for developing & sharing these critical resources. *New* Doxy-PEP Info sheet in English and Spanish for patients – here and here (en español) – SF City Clinic Doxy-PEP fact sheet for healthcare providers…