Universal HIV Screening and Targeted HCV Screening in Emergency Department

Cross-sectional study of patients consulting in the emergency room of the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), to assess the implementation of an "opt-out" screening program for HIV and HCV and prospective follow-up for 3 months of positive cases.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of routine HIV and HCV screening using an "opt-out" approach at the emergency room of the CHUM and to determine the rate of new positive HIV and HCV cases. A sub-analysis will focus more specifically on HCV in the Quebec equivalent of "baby boomers" (1945-1975) since this is the group that was targeted in the United States. The second phase of this study will evaluate the effectiveness of the linkage to the healthcare system for people diagnosed with HIV or HCV and how fast these people are taken care of and put on treatment.

Prevalence of HIV and HCV among patients who consult at the ER of the CHUM (overall and undiagnosed cases)

Determine the percentage of patients that opted-out of the routine screening for HIV and HCV at the ER

Among patients with a newly positive HIV or HCV test in the ER, determine the percentage of those who attended a first workup appointment at 1 month

Determine the percentage that completed certain steps of the HIV and HCV care cascades at 3 months, ie confirmation of diagnosis, liver fibrosis assessment (HCV), and treatment initiation (HIV) or prescription (HCV)

Inclusion Criteria: Individuals attending the emergency room of the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Exclusion Criteria: Individuals unable to opt-out due to their psychological or physical condition

Martel-Laferriere V, Baril JG, Alarie I, Leblanc J, Cote J, Jourdenais E, Horth D, Lambert G, Tremblay C. Opt-out universal HCV and HIV screening in a Canadian emergency room: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2022 Jan 18;12(1):e048748. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048748.