RAPID, Restart & Retention Committee

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

HIV & Health Insurance 101 – online training resource

In collaboration with SFDPH’s Center for Learning & Innovation and support from HIV Health Services and Community Health Equity & Promotion via Getting to Zero, the Frontline Organizing Group put together three, online training briefs covering the basics of: Traditional and Expanded Medi-Cal Medicare Private Insurance obtained from an employer or via Covered CA The…

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Women & HIV focus of April 25th GTZ-SF Consortium Meeting

Thanks to all who came out and engaged with us in conversation about what we as individuals and collectively as GTZ can do to better serve and support women in all our diversity. We had an opportunity to hear from and talk with Dr. Grant Colfax, the new Director of Public Health. Ande Stone from…

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2018 World AIDS Day GTZ- SF Consortium Meeting

On 11/29, the GTZ-SF Consortium convened for its last meeting of 2018.  This meeting brought together over 100 people in observance of World AIDS Day. Tony Bradford, from the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, lead us in a moment of silence for those who have passed and to show support for those living with HIV and…

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