The purpose of this study was to develop a hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV screening program for patients evaluated by the trauma service and link to care. Patients were offered screening for HCV antibody and HIV. Demographics were collected on gender, race, age, and history of intravenous drug use. A navigator connected patients to treatment. In total, 1160 trauma patients were screened for HCV and/or HIV. There were 162 (14%) patients with HCV antibodies. Patients who inject drugs comprised 39.5% (64) of the HCV antibody positive group. Forty-six (68.7%) patients received linkage to care services and 55 (34%) patients were actively engaged in treatment. There were 155 (10.5%) of all eligible patients screened for HIV. Twenty-one (13.5%) patients were living with HIV (PLWH) and there were two (1.3%) new HIV infections. All new PLWH were linked to care and a total of 14 (73.7%) PLWH were on antiretroviral therapy. This is the first HCV and HIV screening and linkage to care program of trauma surgery patients. In this interim program evaluation, we found high prevalence of HCV antibody and HIV prevalence and high linkage to care rates. Trauma service HCV and HIV screening is an opportunity to diagnose, link, and re-engage a vulnerable population.
Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus; hepatitis C; screening; surgery; viral disease.