Exploring the feasibility of targeted chronic hepatitis B screening in the emergency department: A pilot study.

Authors :: Brock C
Yi Y
Papaluca T
Lucas B
Angus PW
Taylor D
Leung C
Source :: Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA [Emerg Med Australas] 2018 Dec; Vol. 30 (6), pp. 864-866. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Jun 09.
Publication Year :: 2018
Abstract: Objective: To explore the feasibility of an ED chronic hepatitis B (CHB) screening programme.<br />Methods: Adult patients born in intermediate-high CHB prevalent regions completed a pre-screening questionnaire and were offered CHB testing. ED staff were surveyed to gauge potential barriers to the programme.<br />Results: Eighty patients demonstrated limited knowledge of hepatitis B virus transmission and perceived many barriers to screening. Among 65 tested for CHB, no new cases were detected but 36 (55.4%, 95% CI 42.6-67.5) were susceptible to infection. Staff supported the programme but reported potential barriers.<br />Conclusion: Targeted ED CHB screening is feasible but effectiveness and cost-effectiveness need further exploration.<br /> (© 2018 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.)

Subjects :: Adult
Aged
Costs and Cost Analysis
Emergency Service, Hospital economics
Emergency Service, Hospital organization & administration
Female
Hepatitis B virus pathogenicity
Hepatitis B, Chronic economics
Humans
Male
Mass Screening trends
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Emergency Service, Hospital trends
Hepatitis B, Chronic diagnosis
Mass Screening methods

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