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
RAPID Care Options in SF
(Updated February 2020) RAPID Care Options in SF – a list of clinical sites in SF that can offer HIV medication to everyone within 0-5 days of HIV diagnosis regardless of insurance status If you have questions, please contact Susa Coffey (susa.coffey@ucsf.edu), Chair of the GTZ RAPID Committee.
RAPID News & Updates
San Francisco: Golden Compass
Quality of Life: Aging with HIV From IAPAC HIV Policy Brief Best Practices for Attaining and Surpassing 90-90-90 for Select Fast-Track Cities, Vol. 1, No. 1, December 1, 2021. “The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) collected and validated through a peer-review process a series of Fast-Track City best practices utilizing the World…
[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…
San Francisco Ending the HIV/HCV/STI Epidemics (ETE)
In 2019, SFDPH received Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding for a one-year accelerated planning process to develop a local plan to end the HIV epidemic. San Francisco added the goals of eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) and turning the curve on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The funding was part of the national Ending…
[Fact Sheet] Reconnect with Care: It’s Safe to (Re)Connect with HIV, STI and Hep C Care
Reconnect to care, it’s important that you seek care when you need it, including routine STD testing and HIV viral load monitoring if you are a person living with HIV. All healthcare providers in San Francisco are required to follow specific requirements and best practices to keep you safe. Read more in the fact sheets…