Access to care and continuity of care are important determinants of viral load suppression and optimal health outcomes.  Sporadic clinic attendance — which may be caused by missed appointments or attrition — is a common reason for lack of adherence to standards of care and management for patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Regular and frequent visits to HIV primary care clinics are critical factors in managing HIV disease progression, allowing providers and patients to discuss medication adherence and health promotion.

Formula:  The number of patients/clients with at least one primary care visit in the past 12 months who have had an HIV primary care visit in the past 4 months. Divide by the total number of patients/clients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months. Multiply by 100 to calculate percent.

85 percent of patients/clients are attending regularly-scheduled 4-month visits.

Evaluate progress toward the goal by assessing a random number of patients/clients monthly (or at the frequency established by your quality improvement effort).

At the end of each month, select your sample (patients with at least one primary care visit in the past 12 months). From this sample, count the number of patients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 4 months. Divide by the total number of HIV/AIDS patients/clients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months.  Multiply by 100 to calculate percent. 

The National HIVQUAL Project’s Minimum Sample Table will help you determine the number of records to include in your sample. The Research Randomizer can generate a random number series to help you select which records to review.

Related Changes
Delivery System Design
Include Planned Visits in the Individual and Group Setting in the Delivery Model