High prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in the emergency department (ED) of a London hospital: should we be screening for HCV in ED attendees?

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (13) ◽  
pp. 2837-2840 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. ORKIN ◽  
E. LEACH ◽  
S. FLANAGAN ◽  
E. WALLIS ◽  
M. RUF ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
London Hospital ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
The Cost

SUMMARYAn unlinked anonymous study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in emergency department (ED) attendees at a London Hospital. Nine hundred and ninety-seven samples collected over a 12-day period were tested for HCV antibody (Ab) and reactive samples were further tested for HCV RNA. The HCV seroprevalence was 2·6% (26/997) with 1·2% (12/997) HCV RNA positive. A peak HCV RNA-positive prevalence of 4·8% (3/63) was found in males aged 35–44 years, this was compared to 0% (0/136) in males aged <35 years (P = 0·0614) and 1·4% (4/278) in males aged ⩾45 years (P = 0·2415). Assuming the cost for HCV Ab is £6 and HCV RNA is £40 per test, screening ED attendees aged 25–54 years would cost £360 per viraemic infection and identify 82% of those who were HCV RNA positive, yielding the most favourable cost/benefit ratio. HCV screening of ED attendees aged 25–54 years in this population could be an effective way of identifying patients and limit onward transmission.

scholarly journals 932. Universal Hepatitis C Virus Screening in a Tennessee Tertiary Care Emergency Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S31-S32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody A Chastain ◽  
Jakea Johnson ◽  
Karen Miller ◽  
Katie Moore ◽  
Amanda Lako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Grant Recipient ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Abstract Background Despite hepatitis C virus (HCV) age cohort and risk factor screening recommendations, many at-risk individuals remain undiagnosed. Current screening practices may not adequately capture those at high risk for infection, especially in regions with increasing injection drug use (IDU). Universal HCV screening in a Tennessee tertiary care emergency department (ED) was introduced to help define regional epidemiology and to improve diagnosis and linkage to care. Methods This screening program was implemented in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center ED. Adult patients who underwent phlebotomy for clinical purposes were offered HCV screening. Samples were initially tested for HCV antibodies; if positive, samples were reflexed for HCV RNA testing. Patients with positive HCV RNA tests (i.e., active HCV infection) were notified, counseled, and offered linkage to care. Results A total of 11,637 screening tests were performed between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, with 1,008 (8.7%) HCV antibody positive and 488 (4.2%) RNA positive. Of note, 81 (0.7%) were HCV antibody positive but RNA testing could not be performed due to insufficient sample volume. Several notable populations had high rates of HCV (Table 1). Importantly, 3.9% of people not born between 1945 and 1965 were HCV RNA positive, and they were the majority (63.5%) of patients with active HCV (Table 2). A minority (31.6%) of those with active HCV had a known history of IDU (Table 2). Conclusion HCV is common among patients presenting for emergency care at a Tennessee tertiary care ED. Universal screening identified many infections that would have been missed using age cohort and risk factors alone. ED HCV screening may be a useful method to augment guideline-based testing and intervene among populations not consistently screened. Disclosures C. A. Chastain, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator and Research Contractor, Grant recipient and Research support. J. Johnson, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. K. Miller, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. J. H. Han, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. W. H. Self, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient.

scholarly journals Rapid point-of-care (POC) testing for Hepatitis C antibodies in a very high prevalence setting: persons injecting drugs in Tallinn, Estonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Uusküla ◽  
Ave Talu ◽  
Jürgen Rannap ◽  
David M. Barnes ◽  
Don Des Jarlais
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Blood Draw ◽  
Persons Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Oral Swab ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Hcv Antibody

Abstract Background Between December 2018 and January of 2019, we evaluated the accuracy of the point-of-care Hepatitis C (HCV) antibody test (POC; OraQuick HCV) used at a community-based needle and syringe exchange program serving persons who inject drugs in Tallinn, Estonia. Methods We compared the results of screening for HCV antibodies by OraQuick (oral swab) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA; blood draw) and assessed test results implications in a high prevalence setting. Findings Of the 100 participants, 88 (88%) had reactive POC test results, and 93 were HCV antibody positive on EIA testing. Sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) for the POC assay with EIA as the relevant reference test were as follows: 94.6% (95% CI 90.0–99.2%), 100% and 58.3% (95% CI 30.4–86.2%). Of the 12 testing, HCV-negative with the POC only 7 (58.3%) were true negatives. Conclusions Oral swab rapid testing HCV screening in this nonclinical setting was sensitive and specific but had unacceptably low NPV. In high prevalence settings, POC tests with high sensitivity and that directly measure HCV RNA may be warranted.

scholarly journals Strategy for the Micro-Elimination of Hepatitis C among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus—A Hospital-Based Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2509
Author(s):  
Pei-Yuan Su ◽  
Yang-Yuan Chen ◽  
Hsu-Heng Yen ◽  
Siou-Ping Huang ◽  
I-Ling Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Electronic Reminder ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Induce Insulin Resistance ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can induce insulin resistance, and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher prevalence of HCV infection. Patient outcomes improve after HCV eradication in DM patients. However, HCV micro-elimination targeting this population has not been approached. Little is known about using electronic alert systems for HCV screening among patients with DM in a hospital-based setting. We implemented an electronic reminder system for HCV antibody screening and RNA testing in outpatient departments among patients with DM. The screening rates and treatment rates at different departments before and after system implementation were compared. The results indicated that the total HCV screening rate increased from 49.3% (9505/19,272) to 78.2% (15,073/19,272), and the HCV-RNA testing rate increased from 73.4% to 94.2%. The anti-HCV antibody seropositive rate was 5.7%, and the HCV viremia rate was 62.7% in our patient population. The rate of positive anti-HCV antibodies and HCV viremia increased with patient age. This study demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of an electronic alert system for HCV screening and treatment among DM patients in a hospital-based setting.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Screening of High-Risk Patients in a Canadian Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kelsey Ragan ◽  
Anjali Pandya ◽  
Tristan Holotnak ◽  
Katrina Koger ◽  
Neil Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hcv Screening

Background. Approximately 0.7% of the Canadian population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many individuals are unaware of their infection. Our objectives were to utilize an emergency department (ED) based point-of-care (POC) HCV screening test to describe our local population and estimate the proportion of high-risk patients in our population with undiagnosed HCV. Methods. A convenience sample of medically stable patients (≥18 years) presenting to a community ED in Calgary, AB, between April and July 2018 underwent rapid clinical screening for HCV risk factors, including history of injection drug use, healthcare in endemic countries, and other recognized criteria. High-risk patients were offered POC HCV testing. Antibody-positive patients underwent HCV-RNA testing and were linked to hepatology care. The primary outcome was the proportion of new HCV diagnoses in the high-risk population. Results. Of the 999 patients screened by survey, 247 patients (24.7%) were high-risk and eligible for testing. Of these, 123 (49.8%) were from HCV-endemic countries, while 63 (25.5%) and 31 (12.6%) patients endorsed a history of incarceration and intravenous drug use (IVDU), respectively. A total of 144 (58.3%) eligible patients agreed to testing. Of these, 6 patients were POC-positive (4.2%, CI 0.9–7.4%); all 6 had antibodies detected on confirmatory lab testing and 4 had detectable HCV-RNA viral loads in follow-up. Notably, 103 (41.7%) patients declined POC testing. Interpretation. Among 144 high-risk patients who agreed to testing, the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection was 4.2%, and the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection with detectable viral load was 2.8%. Many patients with high-risk clinical criteria refused POC testing. It is unknown if tested and untested groups have the same disease prevalence. This study shows that ED HCV screening is feasible and that a small number of previously undiagnosed patients can be identified and linked to potentially life-changing care.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Large System-Wide Hepatitis C Virus Screening and Linkage to Care Program for Baby Boomers

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Castrejón ◽  
Kara W. Chew ◽  
Marjan Javanbakht ◽  
Romney Humphries ◽  
Sammy Saab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Baby Boomers ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Care Coordinator ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Abstract Background We implemented and evaluated a large health system-wide hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and linkage to care program for persons born between 1945 and 1965 (“baby boomers”). Methods An electronic health record (EHR) clinical decision support (CDS) tool for HCV screening for baby boomers was introduced in August 2015 for patients seen in the outpatient University of California, Los Angeles healthcare system setting. An HCV care coordinator was introduced in January 2016 to facilitate linkage to HCV care. We compared HCV testing in the year prior (August 2014–July 2015) to the year after (August 2015–July 2016) implementation of the CDS tool. Among patients with reactive HCV antibody testing, we compared outcomes related to the care cascade including HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing, HCV RNA positivity, and linkage to HCV specialty care. Results During the study period, 19606 participants were screened for HCV antibody. Hepatitis C virus antibody screening increased 145% (from 5676 patients tested to 13930 tested) after introduction of the CDS intervention. Screening increased across all demographic groups including age, sex, and race/ethnicity, with the greatest increases among those in the older age groups. The addition of an HCV care coordinator increased follow-up HCV RNA testing for HCV antibody positive patients from 83% to 95%. Ninety-four percent of HCV RNA positive patients were linked to care postimplementation. Conclusions Introduction of an EHR CDS tool and care coordination markedly increased the number of baby boomers screened for HCV, rates of follow-up HCV RNA testing, and linkage to specialty HCV care for patients with chronic HCV infection.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of a physician-nurse supplementary triage assessment team at an academic tertiary care emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivy Cheng ◽  
Maaret Castren ◽  
Alex Kiss ◽  
Merrick Zwarenstein ◽  
Mats Brommels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Additional Patient ◽  
Patient Volume ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of physician-nurse supplementary triage assistance team (MDRNSTAT) from a hospital and patient perspective.MethodsThis was a cost-effectiveness evaluation of a cluster randomized control trial comparing the MDRNSTAT with nurse-only triage in the emergency department (ED) between the hours of 0800 and 1500. Cost was MDRNSTAT salary. Revenue was from Ontario’s Pay-for-Results and patient volume-case mix payment programs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was based on MDRNSTAT cost and three consequence assessments: 1) per additional patient-seen; 2) per physician initial assessment (PIA) hour saved; and 3) per ED length of stay (EDLOS) hour saved. Patient opportunity cost was determined. Patient satisfaction was quantified by a cost-benefit ratio. A sensitivity analysis extrapolating MDRNSTAT to different working hours, salary, and willingness-to-pay data was performed.ResultsThe added cost of the MDRNSTAT was $3,597.27 [$1,729.47 to ∞] per additional patient-seen, $75.37 [$67.99 to $105.30] per PIA hour saved, and $112.99 [$74.68 to $251.43] per EDLOS hour saved. From the hospital perspective, the cost-benefit ratio was 38.6 [19.0 to ∞] and net present value of –$447,996 [–$435,646 to –$459,900]. For patients, the cost-benefit ratio for satisfaction was 2.8 [2.3 to 4.6]. If MDRNSTAT performance were consistently implemented from noon to midnight, it would be more cost-effective.ConclusionsThe MDRNSTAT is not a cost-effective daytime strategy but appears to be more feasible during time periods with higher patient volume, such as late morning to evening.

scholarly journals Improving hepatitis C screening and diagnosis in patients born between 1945 and 1965 in a safety-net primary care clinic

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e000577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Bakhai ◽  
Naren Nallapeta ◽  
Mohammad El-Atoum ◽  
Tenzin Arya ◽  
Jessica L Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Screening Rate ◽  
Quality Improvement Team ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Improvement Team

Individuals born between 1945–1965 represent 81% of all persons chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the USA and are largely unaware of their positive status. The baseline HCV screening rate in this population in an academic internal medicine clinic at a US hospital was less than 3.0%. The goal was to increase the rate of HCV screening in patients born between 1945 and 1965 to 20% within 24 months. The quality improvement team used the Plan Do Study Act Model. Outcome measures included HCV antibody screening, HCV RNA positive rate and linkage to hepatology care. Process measures included HCV antibody order and completion rates. The quality improvement team performed a root cause analysis and identified barriers for HCV screening and linkage to care. The key elements of interventions included redesigning nursing workflow, use of health information technology and educating patients, physicians and nursing staff about HCV. The HCV screening rate was 30.3% (391/1291) within 24 months. The HCV antibody positive rate was 43.5% (170/391), and HCV RNA positive rate was 95.3% (162/170). HCV infection was diagnosed in 12.5% (162/1291) of patients or 41.4% (162/391) of the screened population. Of those positive, 70% (114/162) were linked to hepatology care within the 24-month project timeframe. Eighty percent of patients seen by a hepatologist were treated with direct-acting antivirals agents. The HCV screening rate was sustained at 25.4% during the post-project 1-year period. Engagement of a multidisciplinary team and education to patients, physicians and nursing staff were the key drivers for success.

scholarly journals 920. Automated Hepatitis C Screening and Linkage to Care among Hospitalized Patients Born Between 1945-1965

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S551-S551
Author(s):  
Julia A Gasior ◽  
Rebecca Russell ◽  
Vincent Lo Re ◽  
Anne Norris ◽  
Schenevelyn Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Health System ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects 4.1 million people in the United States, of whom 50% are unaware of their status. In 2016, Pennsylvania introduced a law mandating HCV screening for patients born between 1945-1965 in inpatient settings. However, HCV screening during hospital admissions has remained low in part due to limited knowledge on HCV testing requirements, interpretation of results, and treatment approaches. To overcome these barriers, we implemented a quality improvement initiative to automate HCV screening as part of hospital admission order sets, facilitate linkage to HCV treatment, and sought to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods Between September 2020 and May 2021, the automated inpatient HCV screening strategy was implemented at a single 328-bed academic hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Patients born between 1945-1965 without documentation of HCV screening or diagnosis in the electronic medical record had a HCV antibody with reflexive confirmatory RNA assay automatically populated in the admission order set. Admitting providers could opt out of the screening as appropriate. All patients with reactive HCV antibody were approached by the Hepatitis Linkage Team for result disclosure, counseling, and linkage to treatment for those with HCV viremia. Cascade of care was detailed for those linked to providers within the health system. Results During the initial 8 months of the program, 2,203 patients were screened for HCV, identifying 156 with reactive HCV antibody (7.1% seroprevalence). Among 147 with completed HCV RNA assay, 51 were viremic (34.7%). Fourteen viremic patients were not linked to care, including six with a terminal illness, two who declined linkage, and six who did not respond to linkage attempts. Nine were linked to care at other health systems. Among the 28 patients linked to providers in the health system, 50% completed initial visits, 42.8% were prescribed direct acting antivirals (DAA), and 21.4% completed therapy by May 2021. One person achieved sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment as of May 2021 (Figure 1). Figure 1. Cascade of HCV Care Among Patients Screened During Hospital Admission from September 2020 to May 2021 Conclusion Automated inpatient HCV screening is a viable strategy to identify people with HCV and facilitate linkage to care. Optimal strategies to ensure patients access and maintain care require further study. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals LO44: Birth cohort hepatitis C screening in an academic emergency department in Canada: preliminary results

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S23-S23
Author(s):  
S. Friedman ◽  
C. Capraru ◽  
K. Bates ◽  
D. Porplycia ◽  
T. Mazzulli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Hcv Prevalence ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
The Us ◽  
Hcv Screening

Introduction: Epidemiologic and modeling studies suggest that between 45 and 70% of individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Canada remain undiagnosed. The Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) recommends one-time screening of baby boomers (1945-1975). Screening programs in the US have shown a very high prevalence of previously undiagnosed HCV among patients seen in the emergency department (ED). We sought to assess the feasibility of implementing a targeted birth-cohort HCV screening program in a Canadian ED setting. Methods: Patients born from 1945 to 1975 presenting to the ED of a downtown Toronto hospital were offered HCV testing. Patients with life-threatening conditions, unable to provide verbal consent in English or intoxication were excluded. Blood samples were collected by finger prick on Dried Blood Spot (DBS) collection cards and tested for anti-HCV antibody with reflex to HCV RNA. Patients with positive HCV RNA were referred to a liver specialist. Results: During a 27-month period (July 2017 - Sept 2019), 8363 patients in the birth cohort presented to the ED during daytime hours. 80% (6714) met eligibility criteria, and 48.4% (3247) were offered testing. Screening was performed by non-medical staff (mean 8/day, median spots on DBS 4). 345 (10.6%) had been previously tested, and 639 (19.7%) declined. 2136 (65.8%) patients underwent testing: median age 58.4 years (40-82), 1117 male (52.3%). Of these, 45 patients (2.1%; 95% CI 1.5%-2.7%) were anti-HCV positive: 32 (76.2%) were HCV RNA positive, 10 (23.8%) negative and 3 not done due to inadequate DBS sample. 26 patients (81.3%) were linked to care and 3 (9.4%) lost to follow-up. HCV prevalence in the ED was significantly higher than the general Canadian population (2.1% vs 0.7%; p < 0.0001) but much lower than reported rates in American EDs (2.1% vs 10.3%; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Acceptance of HCV screening in the ED birth cohort was high and easily performed using DBS to ensure the majority of positive samples were tested for HCV RNA. Challenges included implementation that limited number of people tested, and linkage to care for HCV positive patients. HCV prevalence among this ED birth cohort was higher than the general population but lower than seen in the ED in the US. This may in part be due to exclusion of individuals with more severe medical issues, refusal by higher risk subgroups, or population and healthcare system differences between countries.

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