AI-Powered Hepatitis C Single-Encounter Test-and-Treat

AI-Powered Hepatitis C Single-Encounter Test-and-Treat

This study will evaluate a single-visit approach to hepatitis C treatment in patients seen in the emergency department. Participants with hepatitis C will receive rapid testing and, if eligible, hepatitis C medication before leaving the emergency department. The study will also use a smart pillbox, an AI-powered virtual agent, and community health worker support to help participants take their medication as prescribed. Participants will have follow-up visits and testing to assess medication adherence and whether the hepatitis C infection is cured.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 22-65 years old, presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) who are undergoing antibody testing as part of universal screening
• Patients to be discharged from the ED or ED Observational units

Exclusion Criteria:

• Capacity to Consent

• Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Level one (high acuity patients)

• Known noninvasive serologic tests above proprietary cutoffs indicating cirrhosis (example - FibroSure, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Test, etc.)

• Known clinical evidence of cirrhosis (egliver nodularity and/or splenomegaly on imaging, platelet count <150,000/m3, etc.)

• Known prior liver biopsy showing cirrhosis

  •Pregnancy

• Known or suspected Hepatocellular carcinoma

• Followed by hospice or transplant, have a life expectancy < 1 year

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or on dialysis

• Allergy to study medications

• Patients admitted to the hospital