Hepatitis C virus detection in hospital emergency departments

• DOI: 10.55633/s3me/083.2024
• Publication Date: 2024-09-10T08:08:57Z
• Authors: Jordi Llaneras; Sabela Lens; Beatriz Valle; Inmaculada Fernández; Juan Macías; Raquel Domínguez-...; Alberto De la Cua...; José Luis Calleja; Federico García; Juan González del...
• Keywords: Spain; Humans; Mass Screening; Hepacivirus; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hepatitis C

The prevalence of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is higher in hospital emergency departments (EDs) than the general population. Numerous patients who seek care are unaware that they have detectable viremia, yet fall outside established ED protocols for HCV screening. Often belong to groups with difficult access health use as their point entry system. aim this consensus paper was develop an approach guide detection all Spanish hospitals. Experts from Society Emergency Medicine (SEMES), Association Study Liver (AEEH), and Infectious Diseases Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) met establish criteria professionals' decisions. experts' review literature discussion consensus-building meetings resulted evidence-based recommendations consider following aspects: 1) population target screening ED, 2) how inform process, 3) carry out screening, 4) order test, 5) additional issues such bundling other viral tests comprehensive diagnosis, recording results medical records, implementing ways retain follow positive results. This report provides guidelines tools facilitate physicians' work ensure effective infections subsequent incorporation into