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 News & Updates
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.
Truvada® is going generic on September 30, 2020: Update for San Francisco PrEP Users (updated 10/14)
Where can I learn more?If you or your provider have any questions, please contact San Francisco City Clinic at sfccpatientservices.dph@sfdph.org. For more information on generic medications, the FDA maintains information at its Generic Drug Facts page.
*New Brochure for Providers & Clinics* Stop the hidden epidemic: Five steps to prevent and treat HIV, HCV, and STDs among people experiencing homelessness
If you have questions, please contact Alyson Decker NP, (alyson.decker@sfdph.org), San Francisco City Clinic, San Francisco Department of Public Health.
COVID-19 & Living with HIV: Resources from 4/23 Virtual Town Hall
Last Thursday, Getting to Zero SF and Ward 86 @ SFGH co-hosted a Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 for people living with HIV. The town hall presenters included Dr. Monica Gandhi from UCSF/SFGH Ward 86, Andy Scheer, LCSW from SF City Clinic, and Bill Hirsh, JD with AIDS Legal Referral Panel. The recording of the…