Implementation and Evaluation of Care Coordination in Linkage to Care for Hepatitis C Following Release From New York City Jails

Implementation and Evaluation of Care Coordination in Linkage to Care for Hepatitis C Following Release From New York City Jails

This study assesses the impact of a hepatitis C care coordination program on rates of linkage to hepatitis C care following release from New York City jails. Adult patients (age 18 years and above) with chronic Hepatitis C infection at Bellevue Hospital Center 19 North prison clinic from July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 will be offered participation in a transitional care coordination program. The rates of linkage of these individuals following release from jail will be compared to a historical cohort of adult patients with chronic Hepatitis C infection at the 19 North prison clinic from January 1, 2014 through June 31, 2015.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HCV infection seen in Bellevue's 19N prison Infectious Diseases clinic.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who refuse to participate in the study when approached
• Individuals who are unable or unwilling to sign a consent form agreeing to participate. Participants must have sufficient literacy to sign their name, as written informed consent is required for study participation
• Individuals who are unable to successfully negotiate the use of a telephone interpreter if required
• Individuals who have received a sentence that extends beyond the interval of follow up (one year sentence in city jail)
• Individuals who will be moved upstate to prison directly from jail
• Individuals who die prior to discharge from Rikers Island