Hepatitis C Virus- Know Your Status V.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Hepatitis C Virus- Know Your Status (HCV-KYS): Acceptability and Feasibility of Point of Care Testing for Hepatitis C Virus in an Accident and Emergency Minors Department
IRAS ID
206399
Contact name
Anna Maria Geretti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Our study will assess whether it is feasible to offer point-of-care testing (POCT) by fingerprick to detect hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among attendees of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH) Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, with focus on those attending Minors. The overall aim is to develop a service that will increase diagnostic provision within the Trust, reduce the number of undiagnosed people in the area, and develop a model of care that may be applied nationally. We will assess whether offering testing in this way is acceptable to service users and whether offering POCT for HIV alongside HCV influences uptake. Finally, we will monitor engagement with care among patients who test positive.
Over 4 months, we will offer all members of the public attending Minors a POCT HCV test by fingerprick. In the first two months we will offer the HCV test alone. In the following two months we will also offer a HIV POCT to be performed alongside the HCV POCT. The fingerprick blood will be collected after registration, and analysed using equipment set up within A&E, with results becoming available within 2 hours. It is anticipated that most patients will receive their result before they leave A&E. Those who leave before the results are available will be contacted by phone or text. Patients who test positive will be given a follow-up appointment at the RLUH. Attendance of specialist care and treatment initiation as appropriate will be monitored over the 6 months following a positive test,
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2007
Date of REC Opinion
6 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion