Table 3 Guidelines and policy
From: Hepatitis C virus infection in Irish drug users and prisoners – a scoping review
Date and author | Setting | Sample (n) | Data collection | Design | Main results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[67] | 2004 Dublin Area Hepatitis C Initiative Group | ERHA | GPs | 2001–2002 | Descriptive study reporting on HCV management guideline development for GPs | The guidelines cover advice to GPs on all aspects of care of patients at risk of HCV, including • general and preventative care • care of other bloodborne and hepatotoxic viruses • factors to be considered and appropriate evaluation prior to referring a patient for assessment at a hepatology unit. |
[66] | 2004 Hepatitis C Scientific Advisory Subgroup of the Blood Borne Virus Forum and the Eastern Regional Health Authority | ERHA | 16 workshops with service planners, health and social care professionals and service users (70 | 2004 | A regional hepatitis C strategy document using open space technology | Reported on: • health promotion • role of the media • service provision • research, policy and planning • education and training, • liaison • key workers • co-ordination and collaboration • accessing services • psychological and complementary therapies |
[72] | 2006 Long | National | Drug users | 1995–2005 | Review | Reports on • 9 prevalence studies • 7 studies identifying risk factors |
[70] | 2009 IPS | Dublin | Prisoners | – | Guidelines | Provide prisoners • general health information • advice and testing • referral to appropriate specialist services in relation to HCV where clinically indicated • treatment and support for those chronically infected. |
[14] | 2012 HSE | National | PWID & prisoners | 2007 | First national strategy | • Reviewed and updated recommendation from the 2004 ERHA report. • Developed 36-point action plan Prioritising recommendations for 2011–2012 in the areas of HCV surveillance, education, prevention and treatment. |
[68] | 2014 DOH | National | HCV infected patients | – | Guidelines | Recommendations: • HSE establish a Hepatitis C Treatment Programme with a strong governance and management structure • Provide drug treatment to those with greatest clinical need as a priority and treat as many patients as possible with the available resources |
[69] | HSE 2017 | National | OST Guidelines | • All drug users (including non-PWID) should be screened for HCV. • Anti-HCV patients should be tested for HCV-antigen and LFTs • all antigen positive patients should be referred to specialist services for PCR, fibroscanning and consideration for treatment. • All patients at risk of HCV infection should be given information and advice on the disease and how it is transmitted. • IDU and alcohol misuse should not exclude patients from treatment. • Risks of concurrent alcohol use should be explained to anti-HCV patients. |