Linkage to specialty care in the hepatitis C care cascade.

ABSTRACT: Quality gaps exist in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) care process from diagnosis to cure. To better understand current gaps and to identify targets for quality improvement, we constructed an HCV care cascade in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) with an emphasis on the specialty referral process. We performed a retrospective study of HCV-infected patients in a PCMH using electronic health record (EPIC) data. Patients with a first positive HCV RNA between 2012 and 2019 were included. With an adaptation to analyze linkage to specialty care, we created an HCV care cascade that included the following: (1) a positive HCV RNA, (2) referral to a specialty provider, (3) a scheduled specialty appointment, (4) attendance at a specialty visit, (5) prescription for HCV therapy, and (6) evidence of su

SUBMITTER: Blanding DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7863626 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature