Routine screening of emergency admissions at risk of chronic hepatitis (SEARCH) identifies and links hepatitis B cases to care

Liver Int. 2023 Jan;43(1):60-68. doi: 10.1111/liv.15414. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Abstract

Background and aims: Significant barriers exist with hepatitis B (HBV) case detection and effective linkage to care (LTC). The emergency department (ED) is a unique healthcare interaction where hepatitis screening and LTC could be achieved. We examined the efficacy and utility of automated ED HBV screening for Overseas Born (OB) patients.

Methods: A novel-automated hepatitis screening service "SEARCH" (Screening Emergency Admissions at Risk of Chronic Hepatitis) was piloted at a metropolitan hospital. A retrospective and comparative analysis of hepatitis testing during the SEARCH pilot compared to a period of routine testing was conducted.

Results: During the SEARCH pilot, 4778 OB patients were tested for HBV (86% of eligible patient presentations), compared with 1.9% of eligible patients during a control period of clinician-initiated testing. SEARCH detected 108 (2.3%) hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients including 20 (19%) in whom the diagnosis was new. Among 88 patients with known HBV, 57% were receiving medical care, 33% had become lost to follow-up and 10% had never received HBV care. Overall, 30/88 (34%) patients with known HBV were receiving complete guideline-based care prior to re-engagement via SEARCH. Following SEARCH, LTC was successful achieved in 48/58 (83%) unlinked patients and 19 patients were commenced on anti-viral therapy. New diagnoses of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were made in five and one patient(s) respectively.

Conclusions: Automated ED screening of OB patients is effective in HBV diagnosis, re-diagnosis and LTC. Prior to SEARCH, the majority of patients were not receiving guideline-based care.

Keywords: hepatitis B; linkage to care; universal screening.

MeSH terms

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B virus
  • Hepatitis B* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic* / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic* / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Chronic
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms*
  • Mass Screening
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens