HIV H.O.P.E

MHRI associates are doing some great work that is helping many across the region.  Some of these projects are 'implementation science' which puts new ideas into action in the community to advance the health of those we serve. HIV H.O.P.E. is one of those great programs that I want to share with you today.

HIV H.O.P.E. (Homecare Outreach Patient Engagement) is a Washington D.C. Department of Health – HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HASTA) funded program developed by Dr. Glenn Wortmann, which started in 2013, and has a staff of three people (Cleo Johnson, RN,  Marques Davis, Community Health Worker (CHW) and Antonio Pineda  - HIV tester).  

HIV H.O.P.E. consists of three parts: Homecare, HIV testing, and Community Outreach.  Cleo Johnson, RN, provides homecare services to patients that have uncontrolled HIV viral loads. The services that are provided to the patients and family members are disease education, medications and side effects and resistance. 

Lab work and virtual visits with an infectious disease physician are also provided in the home for patients that are having trouble making it to the hospital for follow up visits.  Marques Davis, Community Health Worker also provides home visits and assists patients with obtaining social needs such as support groups, transportation to appointments, matching patients with case managers and providing resources for household living assistance.  Since December 2013, a total of 41 patients have been provided homecare services and 22 of those patients are undetectable or have at one time become undetectable. 

HIV H.O.P.E. also performs free HIV testing in the emergency department to patient waiting to be seen by the physician, which is performed by Antonio Pineda and Cleo Johnson, RN. Antonio Pineda also oversees a support group for HIV positive patients at MWHC. Since November 2013, 1,560 people have been tested for HIV.  The last part of HIV H.O.P.E. is Community Outreach.  During community outreach events Cleo Johnson, RN gives a presentation and has an open discussion on HIV; Marques Davis provides HIV testing along with a condom demonstration. Recently, Cleo was recognized from MWHC community relations for her participation in their Speakers Bureau. The community enjoyed her participation on HIV and commended her efforts so much that she was presented with a recognition award. 

Since 2014 HIV H.O.P.E. has hosted 6 HIV testing events, all located inside of MWHC, and has also been invited to participate in 4 different community events. 

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