Outcomes 10 Years After Implementing an Emergency Department Opt-out Bloodborne Virus Screening Program.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bloodborne viruses (BBV) such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV pose significant personal and public health risks. Screening and linkage to treating services are important tools in treatment and preventing onward transmission. This study reports outcomes of 10 years of an opt-out BBV screening program in a large urban emergency department (ED).

Methods

Starting in July 2015, ED patients undergoing phlebotomy were offered routine BBV screening. We examine acceptance of screening, characteristics of new diagnoses, and onward linkage to care 10 years after program implementation. We also investigate factors associated with new viremic HCV diagnoses within this cohort to inform future service development.

Results

Over the 10-year period, acceptan

SUBMITTER: Townsend L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456172 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature