Opt-out universal HCV and HIV screening in a Canadian emergency room: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV cases in a population sample tested in the emergency room (ER) and to evaluate linkage-to-care.

Setting

Canadian university hospital.

Participants

Adults born after 1945 who consulted at ER for any condition and on any shift were included. Patients unable to opt-out were excluded.

Interventions

ER nurse confirmed patients' eligibility and provided them with the option to opt-out. A physician met patients with a new diagnosis. Linkage-to-care was assessed 3 months postdiagnosis. Patients newly diagnosed with HCV were considered linked if they had an HCV RNA test, genotype, liver fibrosis evaluation, and if indicated, treatment prescription. Patients newly diagnosed with HIV wer

SUBMITTER: Martel-Laferriere V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8768931 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature