Increasing Hepatitis C Screening in Primary Care

Abstract

Infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a grave health concern it is also a major cause of liver related morbidity and mortality in the United States (US) and globally. The incidence of HCV infection is increasing rapidly. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends one time screening for HCV infection in adults aged 18 to 79 years. People living with HCV are often unaware that they have the infection and are at risk for liver disease and cancer of the liver. Early screening is important to increase diagnosis and treatment of HCV and control the spread of this disease. A quality improvement project was initiated to improve the rates of HCV screening in a rural primary care clinic in eastern North Carolina. Providers and staff were presented with a HCV infection education, ongoing reminders, and feedback. Screening rates were far greater than the set goal of 75%. Replication of this project may benefit the patient population in other clinics.