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Exploring the feasibility of targeted chronic hepatitis B screening in the emergency department: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Brock Catherine,
Yi Yuan,
Papaluca Timothy,
Lucas Benjamin,
Angus Peter W,
Taylor David,
Leung Christopher
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.13118
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , transmission (telecommunications) , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis b , hepatitis b virus , family medicine , emergency medicine , virus , immunology , nursing , electrical engineering , engineering
Objective To explore the feasibility of an ED chronic hepatitis B (CHB) screening programme. 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. 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. Conclusion Targeted ED CHB screening is feasible but effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness need further exploration.