HIV Testing in Emergency Rooms to Reach More People in Kenya and Beyond
Official title: HIV Enhanced Access Testing in Emergency Department program using a Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (HEATED-SAIA) Cluster Randomized Trial
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11416724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program will test if improving emergency department processes can help more people with HIV get tested, especially groups at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $728,450 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI189326-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are ED patients in Kenya (and similar settings) who are at higher risk for HIV or are from key populations, including adolescents and young adults.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not exposed to the enhanced ED testing processes may receive standard care without the amplified testing effort.
What this research studies
This project aims to speed up and expand HIV testing in emergency departments by applying a pragmatic, systems-based approach in Kenya, with potential lessons for similar settings. It focuses on reaching men, adolescents and young adults, and key populations who often lack access to testing. The plan uses real-world ED workflows to increase testing uptake and linkage to care, gathering data from routine ED operations. The study design includes a cluster randomized trial to compare improved ED testing processes against standard care. If successful, the approach could be scaled to other high-need areas to close gaps in HIV diagnosis and treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, more people with HIV will be identified earlier and connected to care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous HEATED work in Kenya showed a significant increase in HTS and better testing among higher-risk individuals.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aluisio, Adam Russell — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Aluisio, Adam Russell
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.