Faithin Omaha eBook Collection

Download or read book Updated recommendations on HCV simplified service delivery and HCV diagnostics written by World Health Organization and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2022-06-24 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This policy brief, one of two on the updated HCV guidelines, focuses on the new recommendations on simplified service delivery for a public health approach to HCV testing, care and treatment. These recommendations include decentralization, integration and task-sharing, in addition to the use of POC HCV viral load assays and reflex viral load testing. Simplified service delivery (decentralization, integration and task sharing): Expansion of HCV testing and treatment services, ideally at the same site, through decentralization of care to lower-level facilities; integration with existing services, such as in primary care, harm reduction programmes, prisons and HIV ervices; and promotion of task sharing through delivery of HCV testing, care and treatment by appropriately trained non-specialist doctors and nurses. HCV diagnostics – use of Point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA viral load and reflex HCV RNA viral load testing: The use of point-of-care (POC) HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) assays is now recommended as an alternative approach to laboratory-based RNA assays to diagnose viraemic infection. This is especially applicable to marginalized populations, such as persons who inject drugs, and hard-to-reach communities with limited access to health care and high rates of loss to follow-up.