Hepatitis Clinical Exchange Network
The Hepatitis Clinical Exchange Network (HepCX) is a clinical practice facilitation intervention coordinated by the NYC Health Department. The initiative began by convening clinical providers or viral hepatitis champions from NYC acute care hospitals. We now also provide technical assistance to community based health centers, opioid treatment and syringe exchange programs to offer viral hepatitis screening and treatment to all patients including people living with HIV, people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, pregnant individuals and people transitioning out of the justice system.
Goals
- Improve clinical provider capacity to provide screening, diagnosis, linkage to care, and treatment for hepatitis B and C
- Increase the number of qualified clinical providers treating hepatitis B and C
- Reduce systemic health care barriers for all patients with hepatitis B and C
Current activities include:
- NYS Hep C Telehealth Workgroup
- NY Hepatitis Clinical Education Collaborative
- Empire Liver Foundation Clinical Training Program
- Clinical Practice Facilitation using Data-to-Care Tools
By participating in HepCX, clinical providers will:
- Meet and exchange information in virtual and in-person settings
- Learn best practices in screening, diagnosis, treatment and management
- Act as Hep Champions by bringing information back to their health care facilities
To join, contact Hep@Health.nyc.gov
Guidance
Hepatitis B
- Test all persons at risk for hepatitis B at intake into care, including people who were born in countries with high prevalence of hepatitis B, family members and close contacts of people living with hepatitis B, and people who use drugs. Vaccinate people who are not immune.
- Treat people with chronic hepatitis B with antivirals according to professional guidelines. See the simplified treatment guidance here.
Hepatitis C
- Test all people aged 18-79 for hepatitis C at intake into care, including people who are pregnant. Re-test people with ongoing risk factors (i.e. current drug use) at least annually.
- Cure all people with chronic hepatitis C with direct acting antiviral therapy, including people who use drugs and alcohol. See simplified treatment guidance here.
