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HAB Information E-mail Volume 15, Issue 3, February 9, 2011

HRSA/HAB News

  • New Patient-Centered Medical Homes Resource Center
  • Webinar Presents New Tools For ADAPs: February 14
  • Seeking Beta Testers: New X-ERT Tool Helps Providers Check XML File Before Submission
  • Ryan White Program Video, A Living History, Updated
  • New HIV Performance Measure Module
  • HIVQUAL Brief on Improving Primary Care of Aging PLWH
  • Last Chance for Free Clinical Capacity Building for Community Health Centers: February 15 Deadline

Other News

  • New CDC Report on HIV/AIDS among Adolescents and Young Adults in the U.S.
  • NIH Funding to Improve HIV/AIDS and Alcohol-Related Outcomes: Applications Due March 26
  • HealthHIV Survey Focuses on State of HIV and Primary Care
  • NASTAD Corrections Report Focuses on Ending Criminalization-related Stigma/Discrimination
  • National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 10
  • DHHS Updates LGBT Webpage
  • National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS: March 4-10
  • NIH Creates Patient-friendly Resource on A1C Testing for Diabetes

HRSA/HAB News

New Patient-Centered Medical Homes Resource Center

HRSA/HAB has funded a cooperative agreement to establish the HIV Medical Homes Resource Center (HIV-MHRC). The François-Xavier Bagnoud Center (FXBC), School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in collaboration with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Excellence in Primary Care, University of California, San Francisco (CEPC/UCSF) is the grantee of record.

The HIV-MHRC will soon launch a needs assessment to engage Ryan White grantees and providers in order to gather information about grantees’ current interests, needs, actions, and readiness regarding development and recognition as a patient-centered medical home (PCMH). The HIV-MHRC will use this information to develop training and technical assistance resources to support the growth of recognized PCMHs among the clinical programs caring for patients with HIV infection. It will also be used to identify clinical programs that will be invited to participate in training workshops and ongoing technical assistance about PCMH recognition. The needs assessment will take participants about 20-30 minutes to complete. Contact your HRSA/HAB project officer to further discuss this opportunity.

For more information, look under “What’s New” on the TARGET Center .

Webinar Presents New Tools for ADAPs: February 14

The webinar, taking place February 14, 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET, will present two new tools that may be beneficial to ADAPs. It will feature a demonstration of the online tool, AIDSVu, which visually explores the HIV epidemic through innovative mapping technology. In addition, Jeffrey Maras, Illinois ADAP Coordinator, will present Illinois’ experience creating and implementing a web-based ADAP enrollment and re-certification application that seeks to maximize program efficiency. The webinar is part of the HRSA/HAB cooperative agreement with the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

For more information and to register, look under “Upcoming Events” on the TARGET Center .

The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the TARGET Center. In addition, other resources for ADAP programs are available from the TARGET Center .

Seeking Beta Testers: New X-ERT Tool Helps Providers Check XML File Before Submission

The DART Team, which provides technical assistance on client-level data submission for the RSR, seeks data geeks interested in early access to the X-ERT tool. This new add-on to T-REX (tool for RSR export) allows users to check the XML file before uploading it to the RSR Web System. With X-ERT, users can check the responses in their data (equivalent to the Upload Confirmation Report), identify any issues with completeness (equivalent to the Completeness Report), and test against validation checks in the RSR System. X-ERT can be used to generate an XML file from T-REX or from another system. Beta testers will help to check functionality, improve instructions, and confirm that formulas are working as intended.

The tool will be launched through a webcast on February 15, 1:00-2:30 pm ET. The webcast will demonstrate how to use X-ERT to "look under the hood" of an XML file.To register .

Ryan White Program Video, A Living History, Updated

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program’s A Living History Website has been updated. A 10-minute video featuring Ryan White grantee, La Clinica Del Pueblo, has been added. It features the Youth Empowerment Program, MPoderate!, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention education and care to young people, particularly Latino YMSM.

View the new video.

For resources on engaging clients in care, visit the TARGET Center .

New HIV Performance Measure Module

The HIV Performance Measure Module (PMM) is a reporting tool in the existing Ryan White Services Report (RSR) online database that allows providers to enter aggregate data on the HAB Performance Measures (records reviewed, numerator, and denominator) on a voluntary basis. Providers will be able to obtain reports that compare their performance regionally (by Public Health Service Regions) and nationally. The database will only be able to compare performance with those providers that submit data in the database. While these performance measure data are not required to be submitted to HAB, providers are strongly encouraged to track and trend data on the measures to monitor the quality of care provided. The PMM will be available on March 1.

A webcast will take place February 29, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET. The webcast will provide an opportunity to learn how to access the PMM, enter performance measure information, and view the reports available.

To register, look under “Upcoming Events” on the TARGET Center .

For other resources on quality visit the TARGET Center .

HIVQUAL Brief on Improving Primary Care of Aging PLWH

A new HIVQUAL-US Brief (#7) focuses on improving primary care for an aging HIV-patient population. It features Ryan White Part C grantee, the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center’s Special Treatment and Research (STAR) Health Center, which has offered HIV-specific adult ambulatory care since 1985. It is located in Central Brooklyn and served 1,129 unique patients in 2010. The brief presents STAR’s quality management efforts. In particular, it discusses efforts aimed to improve the care for the large number of patients that are diabetic and/or at risk for a cardiovascular event.

To view the brief, look under “Recent Publications” on the TARGET Center .

Last Chance for Free Clinical Capacity Building for Community Health Centers: February 15 Deadline

The AIDS Education and Training Center National Center for HIV Care in Minority Communities (AETC NCHCMC) is providing up to 30 health centers not directly funded through the Ryan White Program the opportunity to join the second year of its HIV in Primary Care Learning Community. Health centers will be selected through a competitive process. The benefits of this training include:

  • Virtual clinical and organizational learning sessions;
  • Practice transformation with coaches; and
  • Clinical site mentors.

If your organization plans to apply, email Christine Stewart with a message signifying your intent to apply, or call 202-507-4727.

For more information, look under “What’s New” on the TARGET Center .

Other News

New CDC Report on HIV/AIDS among Adolescents and Young Adults in the U.S.

Recent surveillance data show that young persons in the United States are markedly affected by HIV. The 2009 HIV Surveillance Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that the estimated number and estimated rate of annual diagnoses of HIV infection remained stable from 2006 through 2009 in the 40 states with mature, confidential, name-based HIV infection reporting. However, during this period, the estimated rates of diagnoses of HIV infection among persons aged 15–19 years increased 25 percent, and rates among persons aged 20–24 years increased 31 percent.

View the report.

NIH Funding to Improve HIV/AIDS and Alcohol-Related Outcomes: Applications Due March 26

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health will fund grants to develop and test coordinated interventions for individuals living with
HIV/AIDS who drink alcohol at harmful or hazardous levels. Applications may come from institutions/organizations with established HIV/AIDS cohorts or from organizations that are seeking to collaborate with such organizations. The current funding opportunity announcement will fund three or more applications to conduct research on interventions for alcohol misuse among HIV-infected populations. Studies may include experimental and quasi-experimental research, natural experiments, and research on practice-based adaptive interventions, with emphasis on both patient and clinician-relevant outcomes. The overarching goal of this research activity is to advance implementation research on coordinated interventions for people with co-occurring alcohol misuse and HIV/AIDS, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective systems to reduce the impact of alcohol on HIV transmission and disease progression.

Letters of intent are due February 25. Applications are due March 26.

For more information and the application >>

HealthHIV Survey Focuses on State of HIV and Primary Care

Concerns over rising HIV caseloads among overworked specialists and insufficient reimbursement for HIV services are key findings from the Second Annual HealthHIV State of HIV Primary Care survey. The survey reveals a shifting landscape between the readiness of the HIV workforce and its ability to treat the growing number of people living with HIV, especially in primary care settings. The findings indicated that reimbursement for HIV services is a major obstacle between the HIV workforce and number of people needing HIV care. Among HIV treatment providers, two-thirds report an increase in their HIV caseloads and more than a third report inadequate reimbursement as a barrier to expanding their practices. Other topics addressed in the survey include HIV testing in primary care settings and the impact of health care reform. In conjunction with the survey results, HealthHIV is releasing a "Readiness Report" of HIV care providers and primary care providers, identifying factors among different provider types, which speak to their readiness to provide HIV care in near future.

Learn more >>

NASTAD Corrections Report Focuses on Ending Criminalization-related Stigma/Discrimination

The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted a two-part survey assessment to: 1) understand the degree to which state health departments interact with state departments of corrections regarding prevention, care, and treatment of HIV and viral hepatitis in state correctional facilities; and 2) gather information concerning health departments’ awareness of any policies and practices that unjustly sanction persons living with HIV/AIDS by criminalizing exposure and/or transmission. Part II examines the issue of HIV criminalization for the purposes of strengthening a key National HIV/AIDS Strategy objective of promoting public health approaches to HIV prevention and care.

View the report. (PDF – 432 KB)

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 10

March 10 marks the observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Women’s Health is the lead for this day.

For more information, resources, and events >>

For information on other HIV/AIDS Awareness Days >>

HHS Updates LGBT Webpage

The Department for Health and Human Services (DHHS) has updated it webpage for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The webpage includes information on the Affordable Care Act, informational resources, and a listing of DHHS activities designed to address the needs of the LGBT community.

View the webpage.

National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS: March 4-10

The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is a call to prayer for the eradication of HIV/AIDS through prayer, education, advocacy, and service. It is designed to bring together people of faith to unite with purpose, compassion, and hope to support HIV education, encourage HIV testing, and advocate for care and treatment. The theme for 2012 is “The end of the AIDS Epidemic is in sight with prayer, education, testing, and treatment!”

For more information, resources, and a list of events >>

NIH Creates Patient-friendly Resource on A1C Testing for Diabetes

The NIH has released a fact sheet for patients undergoing A1C testing. The sheet includes information about the purpose of the A1C test, how it works, its accuracy, and how it relates to other tests for diabetes. Specifically, the A1C test is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, as well as to monitor blood glucose levels of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The fact sheet is intended to help physicians explain the A1C test to patients and provides patients with a credible information resource after they leave the doctor's office. It also may be placed in exam rooms or reception areas for reference.

View the fact sheet. (PDF – 388 KB)

In addition to the resources listed above, don’t forget to check out these other HAB resources, which are updated regularly.

HAB Web site

TARGET Center , Central Source for Ryan White TA

Twitter , Sign up using “ryanwhitecare”

The HAB Information E-mail is distributed biweekly by the HRSA/HAB Division of Training and Technical Assistance (DTTA). To subscribe or unsubscribe, contact Paula Jones.