National Quality Forum #: 2083 / 3211e
Description: Percentage of patients, regardless of age, with a diagnosis of HIV prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART)1 for the treatment of HIV infection during the measurement year
Numerator: Number of patients from the denominator prescribed HIV ART1 during the measurement year
Denominator: Number of patients, regardless of age, with a diagnosis of HIV with at least one medical visit in the measurement year
Patient Exclusions: None
Data Elements:
- Does the patient, regardless of age, have a diagnosis of HIV? (Y/N)
- If yes, did the patient have at least one medical visit during the measurement year? (Y/N)
- If yes, was the patient prescribed HIV ART1 during the measurement year? (Y/N)
- If yes, did the patient have at least one medical visit during the measurement year? (Y/N)
National goals, target, or benchmarks for comparison
The HIV Quality Measures (HIVQM) Module is a tool within the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Services Report portal. It allows recipients to enter aggregate data specific to HRSA HAB Performance Measures. The HIVQM Module allows recipients to conduct point-in-time benchmarking across Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs that use the module.
Department of Health and Human Services Clinical Practice Guidelines
Adult guidelines
"Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all persons with HIV to reduce morbidity and mortality (AI) and to prevent transmission of HIV to others. ART should be initiated as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis."2
Pediatric guidelines
- "Antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be initiated in all infants and children with HIV infection (AI for children aged <3 months, AI* for older children)."3
- "Rapid ART initiation (defined as initiating ART immediately or within days of diagnosis), accompanied by a discussion of the importance of adherence, and provision of subsequent adherence support is recommended for all children with HIV."3
- "If a child with HIV has not initiated ART, health care providers should closely monitor the virologic, immunologic, and clinical status at least every 3 to 4 months (AIII)."3
- "The Panel recommends rapid initiation of ART (defined as initiating ART immediately or within days of diagnosis) for all children who receive an HIV diagnosis ... However, in ART-naive children and adolescents with tuberculosis or cryptococcal meningitis, the Panel recommends initiation of treatment for the opportunistic infection first, ahead of ART initiation, with ART initiated within 2 to 8 weeks thereafter. However, appropriate timing of ART initiation in these cases should be discussed with a pediatric HIV specialist."4
Use in other federal programs
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HIV measures: Secretary Sebelius approves indicators for monitoring HHS-funded HIV services
- This measure is linked to an exact or similar indicator(s) within the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2022-2025).
References/notes
1 HIV antiretroviral therapy is described as the prescription of at least one U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved HIV antiretroviral medication.
2 Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV (PDF - 5 MB). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available online. Accessed August 2022. E-1 through E-2.
3 Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Infected Children. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection (PDF - 6 MB). Available online. Accessed February 2023. D-16.
4 Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Infected Children. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection (PDF - 6 MB). Available online. Accessed February 2023. E-4.