David Powell Clinic

Specializing in the treatment of HIV and AIDS
4614 N. IH 35, Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 972-4900, Fax: 972-4940

Eligibility I Clinic Facilities And Access I Treatment Of HIV Disease I General Medical Treatment
Women's Services I Patient Assistance Programs

The David Powell Clinic provides primary medical care on an outpatient basis to adult HIV-positive residents of the Austin Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA), which includes Travis, Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson Counties. Nationally recognized for its quality care, the David Powell CHC is the largest provider of HIV medical services in the Austin area. Approximately 75 percent of the clinic's funding is provided by federal and state grants, making it the largest HIV services grantee in Central Texas.

The clinic provides HIV-specific health services, focusing on the prevention of illness and the ongoing management of chronic conditions and acute health problems through a coordinated team effort that includes physicians, a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, medical case management, social workers, mental health services, a nutritionist, and radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy services.

Services are provided to eligible HIV-positive adults at any point on the HIV disease continuum (symptomatic or asymptomatic) within an environment of dignity and respect. Proof of HIV-positive status is documented on all patients.

The clinic accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurance plans; however, no one is refused services based on inability to pay.

The David Powell Clinic adheres to the highest standards of confidentiality. Personal health information is disclosed only as necessary for treatment, clinic administration (i.e., insurance billing), and as requested by the patient.

Eligibility

Clinic services are available to HIV-positive adults living in the Austin HSDA regardless of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or national origin. Individuals are considered to be eligible to receive DPC services if they have tested HIV-positive; patients are requested to bring laboratory proof of HIV-positive status to their first clinic visit. The clinic performs an HIV-1 RNA Viral Burden Assay on all new patients, which serves as proof of HIV-positive status for patients unable to provide previous lab results. Proof of HIV-positive status is documented on all patients.

Clinic Facilities And Access

The David Powell Clinic meets all federal, state, and local safety and licensing requirements as well as all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) statutes and is therefore readily accessible to those with visual, hearing, and mobility disabilities. Its central location, on IH-35 near 46th Street is close to Capital Metro routes (#15 Red River, #37 Colony Park, #350 Airport); transportation assistance for qualified individuals is available. Interpreters for those with hearing disabilities are provided as necessary, and Spanish speakers are served by clinic staff who are fluent in Spanish.

Treatment Of HIV Disease

Each patient initially undergoes a complete physical examination and medical history. Using clinical findings and laboratory results (e.g., CD4 counts, viral burden assays, and genotyping), providers stage the immunological and clinical health status of the individual and develop a medical plan of treatment for the patient. Depending on where patients are on the HIV continuum, the plan of treatment may include additional lab tests, diagnostic studies, initiating and monitoring highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), initiating and monitoring prophylactic therapy for opportunistic infections, screening and treatment for various infections, and scheduled follow-up visits. Physicians continually assess patients at each visit for signs of improvement or disease progression and modify the treatment plan accordingly. Clinic physicians write medication prescriptions, perform minor medical treatments (such as HPV removal, tissue biopsies, pap smears, colposcopies, and cryosurgery) and document interventions and patient assessments in medical records. Clinic providers implement all clinic protocols and serve as expert community resources for HIV treatment issues; continuing education and professional development activities ensure that providers have access to the latest treatment information for HIV Disease. The clinic sometimes acts as a study site for Phase IV Drug Trials and as an early intervention site for new HAART medications.

General Medical Treatment

In addition to treating HIV Disease, the clinic acts as a primary care provider to its patients, providing general medical care and working to maintain health through treatment of minor illness and chronic health conditions as well as through wellness promotion. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, cardiopathies, asthma, malnutrition, malignancies, and sexually transmitted diseases may require special treatment considerations in HIV-positive individuals. When necessary, clinic providers consult with and refer patients to medical specialists in areas such as ophthalmology, gastroenterology, dermatology, surgery, radiology, oncology, and mental health services.

Women's Services

The David Powell Clinic offers all female patients a fully integrated HIV-specific women's health clinic staffed entirely by women, including physician services provided by a Board Certified Family Practitioner. Services provided include HIV-specific early gynecological assessment and treatment services, e.g., pelvic examinations, pap smears, colposcopy, cryosurgery, cervical biopsy, screening and treatment for gynecological infections, and family planning. All new female patients are initially referred into the women's clinic for gynecological assessment/treatment and are referred for reassessment every six months or as needed; patients identified as having gynecological disease requiring specialist treatment are referred to gynecologists within the community with expertise in HIV-related gynecological diseases. Transportation services within the Austin city limits are available for women in need.

Patient Assistance Programs

Clinic patients undergo financial eligibility screenings to determine their ability to pay for services and medications. For those eligible patients without a funding source such as Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, the clinic receives Federal funding through Ryan White CARE Act Grants to cover necessary services and medications. Assistance is provided to patients who qualify for the Texas AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). The clinic's Patient Assistance Coordinator works with patients, providers, and drug company compassionate assistance programs to obtain needed medications for those who cannot afford them and do not qualify for assistance under other programs.

HIV Information Links

National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health MedLINEPlus

Centers For Disease Control HIV & AIDS Information

US Health And Human Services AIDS Information

Texas AIDS Health Fraud Information Network

New Mexico AIDS Info Net

HIV & Hepatitis

Infectious Disease Society of America

Additional Austin Area Resources for People Living With HIV Disease

AIDS Services of Austin & Jack Sansing Dental Clinic

Community AIDS Resources & Education (CARE) Austin/Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (case management, housing, and mental health services)

Interfaith Care Alliance (transportation, food, and living support assistance)

Project Transitions

Waterloo Counseling Center

Wright House Wellness Center

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