Using a Multicountry Learning Network to Harvest and Rapidly Spread Implementation Knowledge across Programs Aimed to Reduce Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Improve Nutrition: Perspectives and Lessons Learned for Similar Large-Scale Initiatives.

As countries pursue UNAIDS's 90-90-90 target for ending the AIDS epidemic, success is dependent on learning how to deliver effective care. We describe a learning network and mechanisms used to foster communication and sharing of ideas and results across 6 countries in the Partnership for HIV-Free Survival. The network used 2 forms of peer exchange, in-person and virtual, and a variety of knowledge management mechanisms to harvest and spread key learning.

Using quality improvement to accelerate highly active antiretroviral treatment coverage in South Africa.

Introduction: The authors report on a health systems strengthening intervention using quality improvement (QI) methods at the subdistrict level to accelerate highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) initiation in South Africa.

Methods: Using a phased scale-up design between August 2006 and November 2009, 14 primary healthcare clinics, one community health centre, one district hospital and one tertiary hospital in a subdistrict were recruited into a 'learning network' using QI methods to facilitate cross-facility learning/mentorship/support. Clinic teams consisting of nurses, counsellors, clerks and/or doctors set collective and individual performance targets, analysed their care systems using 'real-time' data feedback, and designed/implemented a set of simple changes to improve HIV testing and HAART initiation rates across the region.