Quality Improvement (QI): A Splendid Driver for Achieving the Third 90 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Routine HIV viral load tests improve treatment quality and individual health outcomes for people living with HIV. Quality improvement (QI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of Quality Improvement (QI) on achieving routine HIV viral load implementation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based prospective follow up study design approach was used from January 2016 to December 2016. Data was entered, cleaned using EPI-Data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 software for further processing and analysis. The effect of QI was measured and monitored by test change using run chart. Results: At the end of the quality improvement, the monthly routine viral load performance samples using one analyzer were 3255 from less than 676 at baseline. The routine viral load feedback arrival within agreed turnaround time and regularly archival availability increase from 6 health facilities (7.2%) to 65% at 54 health facilities by December 2016, from the 83 ART monitoring health facilities sent their HIV viral load sample. Implementation of continuous quality improvement is a game changer in transforming laboratory quality and positively impact on meeting the third 90 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Conclusion: The QI model which have implemented at Addis Ababa health research HIV viral load laboratory achieve and worth good experiences with a range of benefits. We strongly believe that healthcare has much to gain by successfully implementing Quality improvement principles within their routine programs.