Update on Hepatitis C Screening and Management: Actions for Emergency Departments

AbstractPurpose of ReviewReview epidemiology, screening recommendations, management, and treatment of hepatitis C virus and strategies to expand diagnosis and effective linkage to care.Recent FindingsHepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have increased threefold from 2010 to 2016 and close to half of people infected remain unaware of their HCV status. Emergency departments and hospitals are points of care where health care is provided to people who often do not otherwise receive regular primary health care and recommended screening tests. Recent studies in emergency departments have shown that expanded testing can identify many people with chronic HCV infection who would otherwise remain undiagnosed.SummaryHepatitis C infection can impact the health of patients who are admitted to emergency departments and hospitals. Expanded screening can identify patients at risk of HCV-related liver disease, get them linked to care and treatment, and prevent progression of liver disease, HCV-related deaths, and transmission of infection. Actions that expand HCV screening in emergency departments are an important response to address the increasing number of HCV infections in the USA.
Source: Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research