HIV+ Clients Linked to Medical Care

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Department of Public Health

Calendar Year 2017
Target: 75% of newly diagnosed HIV cases connected to care within 3 months of diagnosis
Status: 
MEETING TARGET

This metric measures how many newly diagnosed HIV cases in San Francisco receive HIV-related care within three months of their diagnosis. HIV-related care is defined as a viral load and CD4 test. Linkage to care is an important marker in the treatment cascade and continuum of care. Early access to care and early access to treatment leads to undetectable viral load. Undetectable viral load is important because it leads to better health outcomes for the patient, and reduces the risk of HIV transmission by over 90 percent.

LINKAGE TO CARE FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED HIV+ CASES HAS CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDED GOAL OF 75%

How San Francisco is Performing

San Francisco has robust HIV surveillance and has recognized the need for rapid linkage to care. In 2010, the Department of Public Health (DPH) implemented a policy for universal access to treatment upon diagnosis. Increases in staffing for the Linkage, Integration, Navigation and Comprehensive Services (LINCS) program within DPH’s Disease Prevention and Control division is expected to improve the linkage to care percentage. 

How Performance is Measured

All laboratories and testing facilities in San Francisco, both public and private, are mandated to report all HIV-related tests (viral load/CD4) to DPH. When a positive laboratory test is received, it is matched against data for San Francisco, California, and the nation to verify whether the case is a new or known diagnosis. Subsequent laboratory tests are matched to the HIV case registry and updated in the HIV/AIDS reporting system. Medical care received outside of San Francisco may also be captured and updated in this reporting system by the State Office of AIDS.

Additional Information

Read more about HIV/AIDS in San Francisco

Data

Please visit DataSF for the scorecard data.