Birth Cohort Screening for Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified as a global, national, and local public health concern. Leading public health organizations have identified high-risk population groups and have developed screening guidelines. One-time screening has been recommended for all individuals born between 1945-1965. This generation has the highest rate of HCV, yet most cases remain undiagnosed and untreated. If left untreated, HCV can lead to devastating health consequences. Screening is imperative to identify HCV and prevent the comorbidities associated with chronic infection. A quality improvement project was implemented using a multimodal intervention to address low screening rates at a public health department in northwest North Carolina. Interventions included provider education, provider reminders, and ongoing feedback. During implementation, screening rates consistently exceeded the goal of 90%. The project’s success may prove beneficial for improving screening rates in other clinics at the site and other organizations.