The Rocky Road to a Hepatitis C Cure in a Rural HIV Clinic
Abstract
The presentation will focus on the challenges in treating HIV/ Hep C co- infected clients in a rural health setting. The process includes:
- Evaluating the barriers to care and readiness for treatment
- Provision of Hep C Treatment through a multidisciplinary team approach
- Ongoing monitoring of patient’s Hepatitis C status and provision of education and prevention of reinfection.
Proposal Summary
The Southeast Health District is a rural health district in South Georgia encompassing 8086 miles. The area is largely medically under served. We are the only providers of HIV services in the health district. Our Hepatitis C treatment team includes administrative staff, medical case managers, designated Hep C nurse, and health care providers. Our multidisciplinary team approach to Hep C treatment begins with evaluation of barriers to care and readiness to treatment by medical case managers. Clients are then clinically evaluated by medical providers and counseled on Hep C treatment and risk factors, and prevention of reinfection. Medical case managers facilitate the obtainment of medication through various resources depending on the payer source. Treatment includes: • Biweekly calls from the Hep C nurse/case manager. • Medication tracking by medical case manager. • Frequent clinic visits to ensure adherence. • Scheduled lab testing during treatment. • Assistance with transportation and other social service needs. • Continuous education throughout the treatment process. Once medication treatment is complete, Hep C prevention education is provided at each medical visit thereafter to prevent reinfection. Patients are tested annually after confirmation of cure. The treatment model has proven equally effective in both insured and uninsured patients due to the multidisciplinary team approach. The Southeast Health District serves a total of 820. Of these active patients, 45 were deemed eligible for treatment. Of these, 36 have been successfully treated and continue to test undetectable for Hepatitis C. 9 patients are currently pending treatment. This exemplifies a multidisciplinary care team approach is effective in the treatment of HIV/Hep C patients in a rural setting with limited resources.
Relevance And Significance
Infection an co-morbidities and their treatment Hep C : Treatment model for a HIV/Hep C client in a rural setting. Medical access and compliance issues among rural populations: Large 16 county rural setting includes limited access to medical care for HIV/Hep C co infected client and the many barriers they face.
Session Format
Workshop
Keywords
HIV/Hep C Treatment, Rural HIV Care, Multidisciplinary Team
Location
Savannah, Ga.
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Coffee, Amanda and Dockery, Jeffery, "The Rocky Road to a Hepatitis C Cure in a Rural HIV Clinic" (2019). 9th Annual Rural HIV Research and Training Conference (2014-2019). 1.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ruralhiv/2019/2019/1
The Rocky Road to a Hepatitis C Cure in a Rural HIV Clinic
Savannah, Ga.
The presentation will focus on the challenges in treating HIV/ Hep C co- infected clients in a rural health setting. The process includes:
- Evaluating the barriers to care and readiness for treatment
- Provision of Hep C Treatment through a multidisciplinary team approach
- Ongoing monitoring of patient’s Hepatitis C status and provision of education and prevention of reinfection.
