To report outcomes of a 10-year opt-out BBV screening program in an urban emergency department, focusing on acceptance, new diagnoses, and the critical aspect of linkage to care.
Key Findings:
High acceptance of BBV screening at 81% among phlebotomized patients.
No significant change in rates of new diagnoses of HIV, HBV, or HCV.
Significant reduction in polymerase chain reaction–positive HCV diagnoses.
High linkage to care: 96% for HIV, 89% for HBV, and 95% for HCV.
PCR-positive HCV associated with people who inject drugs and those discharged directly from the ED.
Interpretation:
The opt-out BBV screening program demonstrates sustained acceptability and effective linkage to care, while identifying active HCV cases among high-risk populations, suggesting a need for ongoing program adaptation.
Limitations:
The study does not account for patients who declined screening, which may skew acceptance rates.
Potential changes in patient demographics and behaviors over the decade were not analyzed, limiting the understanding of trends.
Conclusion:
The ED opt-out BBV screening program effectively identifies new cases and links patients to care, underscoring the need for continued adaptation to address emerging public health challenges.
