Intervention to improve management of acute hepatitis C infection in a UK sexual health clinic

Int J STD AIDS. 2018 Feb;29(2):195-197. doi: 10.1177/0956462417727193. Epub 2017 Aug 23.

Abstract

A case note review was conducted for all newly-diagnosed acute hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients attending our sexual health clinic pre- and post-implementation of an HCV clinic proforma between January 2010 and September 2016. In total, 87 patient notes were included (40 pre-intervention, 47 post-intervention) of whom 81 were HIV-positive. Data were collected regarding documentation of the following: baseline investigations, four-weekly HCV viral load monitoring, risk assessment, partner notification, advice given and Public Health England (PHE) notification. Appropriate baseline investigations, four-weekly monitoring of HCV viral loads, risk assessment and advice documentation all improved in the post-intervention group when compared to pre-intervention. PHE notification and partner notification remained below the national standard post-intervention, with educational measures among relevant staff implemented accordingly. This audit demonstrates improvement across several key areas post clinic proforma implementation.

Keywords: HIV; Hepatitis C; men.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Clinical Audit*
  • Contact Tracing*
  • England
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sexual Partners