
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 Publication] Development of a Citywide Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiative in San Francisco
Oliver M.L. Bacon, Susa C. Coffey, Ling C. Hsu, Jennie C.S. Chin, Diane V. Havlir, Susan P. Buchbinder, Development of a Citywide Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiative in San Francisco, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 61, Issue 5, Supplement 1, 2021, Pages S47-S54,ISSN 0749-3797, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.06.001.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379721003615) Introduction Ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. holds rapid antiretroviral…
[Publication] Decreased Time from HIV Diagnosis to Care, ART Initiation, and Virologic Suppression during the Citywide RAPID Initiative in San Francisco
Bacon O, Chin J, Cohen SE, Sachdev D, Coffey S, Scheer S, Hessol NA, Buchbinder S, Havlir DV, Hsu L. Decreased Time from HIV Diagnosis to Care, ART Initiation, and Virologic Suppression during the Citywide RAPID Initiative in San Francisco. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 May 25:ciaa620. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa620. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32449916. Abstract…
RAPID Restart: Immediate Restart of ART for Persons Re-Engaging in Care (October 2020)
If you have questions, please contact Susa Coffey (susa.coffey@ucsf.edu), Chair of the GTZ RAPID Committee.
RAPID Standard Operating Procedures (Updated 3/2020)
If you have questions, please contact Susa Coffey (susan.coffey@ucsf.edu), Chair of the GTZ RAPID Committee.
RAPID News & Updates
(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.
2023 Winter Consortium Meeting focused on Behavioral & Mental Health Services in SF — a conversation with Dr. Hillary Kunins
The meeting agenda included a policy update & call to action, a presentation highlighting data from the *new* 2023 SFDPH HIV Epidemiology Report, and a discussion between Dr. Tyler TerMeer (SFAF), Dr. Elizabeth Imbert (UCSF/SFGH) and Dr. Hillary Kunins, Director of Behavioral Health Services and Mental Health SF, on San Francisco’s vision for the delivery…
Apretude (PrEP) Insurance Flowsheet
BAYLAP, or the Bay Area Alliance for Long Acting PrEP, has developed an insurance flowsheet to help clinics with insurance navigation. The document can be found on the PrEP Committee page and Resources page. And directly, here!
DoxyPEP for STI prevention in San Francisco — Data & Discussion at 2023 Fall Consortium Meeting
Thanks to all who came out to hear important policy & study updates and about the use of DoxyPEP for STI prevention in San Francisco. The program agenda included an update on drug overdose prevention and advocacy efforts in San Francisco by Laura Thomas (SFAF). Dr. Anne Luetkemeyer (UCSF) got to the “heart” of the…