title: On-site bundled rapid HIV/HCV testing in substance use disorder treatment programs: study protocol for a hybrid design randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 3.2 million are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). An estimated 25 % of persons living with HIV also have HCV. It is therefore of great public health importance to ensure the prompt diagnosis of both HIV and HCV in populations that have the highest prevalence of both infections, including individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this theory-driven, efficacy-effectiveness-implementation hybrid study, we will develop and test an on-site bundled rapid HIV/HCV testing intervention for SUD treatment programs. Its aim is to increase the receipt of HIV and HCV test results among SUD treatment patients. Using a rigorous process involving patients, providers, and program managers, we will incorporate rapid HCV testing into evidence-based HIV testing and linkage to care interventions. We will then test, in a randomized controlled trial, the extent to which this bundled rapid HIV/HCV testing approach increases receipt of HIV and HCV test results. Lastly, we will conduct formative research to understand the barriers to, and facilitators of, the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of the bundled rapid testing strategy in SUD treatment programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Novel approaches that effectively integrate on-site rapid HIV and rapid HCV testing are needed to address both the HIV and HCV epidemics. If feasible and efficacious, bundled rapid HIV/HCV testing may offer a scalable, potentially cost-effective approach to testing high-risk populations, such as patients of SUD treatment programs. It may ultimately lead to improved linkage to care and progress through the HIV and HCV care and treatment cascades.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02355080 . (30 January 2015).
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA. jf2584@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Jemima A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Frimpong
authors.affiliation: Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, New York, USA. tdaunno@nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: D'Aunno
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai Beth Israel; Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA. DPerlman@chpnet.org.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Perlman
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, New York University, New York, USA. shiela.strauss@nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Shiela M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Health System, New York, USA, New York, USA. almallo@montefiore.org.
authors.forename: Alissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallow
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA. dh2494@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA. brs2006@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Schackman
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, USA. dfeaster@biostat.med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Feaster
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA. lm2892@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Metsch
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D060085:Coinfection; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009519:New York City; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors