Document 0253
 DOCN  M94A0253
 TI    Hepatitis C experience at a community teaching hospital.
 DT    9412
 AU    Woodall DW; Godenick M; Valainis GT; Department of Medical Education,
       Spartanburg Regional Medical; Center, SC.
 SO    J Fam Pract. 1994 Sep;39(3):257-61. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94358701
 AB    BACKGROUND. The purpose of this study was to review the initial
       serologic testing experience for hepatitis C (HCV) and physician
       response at a community teaching hospital. METHODS. A retrospective
       chart review was performed for the 59 (5%) HCV-positive patients of 1244
       patients who were tested by means of a new enzyme immunosorbent assay
       (EIA) for HCV antibodies between October 28, 1990, and October 27, 1991.
       RESULTS: Physicians identified HCV risk factors, including intravenous
       drug use (n = 14, 25%) and having received blood products (n = 15, 27%).
       One half of the patients were not queried about the known risk factors
       for HCV. The most common reason for ordering an HCV assay was elevated
       liver enzymes. None of the patients underwent supplementary HCV testing
       (ie, polymerase chain reaction or recombinant immunoblot assay). In 23
       (40%) of the HCV-positive patients, no action was taken by the
       physician, and 15 (27%) were lost to follow-up. The remaining 18
       patients (33%) had further follow-up with laboratory or treatment.
       CONCLUSIONS. These results indicate the need for increased physician
       awareness of risk factors for HCV and improved documentation of these
       factors in taking patient history. In addition, primary care physicians
       need to be educated about new laboratory tests and how to interpret test
       results and when to order supplemental testing.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Aged  Aged, 80 and over  Alanine
       Aminotransferase/BLOOD  Comparative Study  Evaluation Studies  Female
       Hepatitis Antibodies/ANALYSIS  Hepatitis
       C/COMPLICATIONS/*DIAGNOSIS/IMMUNOLOGY  Hepatitis C Viruses/IMMUNOLOGY
       Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over  Hospitals, Community/STATISTICS &
       NUMER DATA/*STANDARDS  Hospitals, Teaching/STATISTICS & NUMER
       DATA/*STANDARDS  Human  HIV Seropositivity/COMPLICATIONS  Immunoenzyme
       Techniques  Male  *Medical Audit  Middle Age  Retrospective Studies
       Risk Factors  Substance Abuse, Intravenous  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).