Hospital-based micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus: improving timely case identification and linkage to care in a...

Despite the availability of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), gaps in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade remain major barriers to elimination. Hospital-based micro-elimination strategies may help improve timely diagnosis and linkage to care.

We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent anti-HCV antibody testing at Yuncheng Central Hospital between August 2021 and August 2024. Hospital-wide measures-including physician training, interdepartmental collaboration, and laboratory alert prompts for anti-HCV positive results-were implemented to improve referral and treatment. The cascade of care from screening to treatment outcomes was evaluated.

A total of 276,568 patients were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, identifying 4,011 seropositive individuals. Among them, 2,958 patients completed confirmatory HCV RNA testing, leading to the identification of 788 active infections. Among viremic patients, 423 (53.7%) initiated DAA therapy, all of whom completed treatment, with 418 (98.8%) achieving sustained virologic response at 12 weeks.

Hospital-based micro-elimination strategies may help strengthen the HCV care cascade by enhancing confirmatory testing and linkage to treatment. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and referral systems in tertiary hospitals may accelerate progress toward HCV elimination, particularly in high-prevalence regions.