SUDs and Viral Hepatitis

Goal 4(i). Liver Health Initiative for Patients with SUDs and Viral Hepatitis

Headed by our IRC, Dr. Hagedorn, and in collaboration with the Minneapolis Hepatitis C Resource Center HCRC, this program of implementation research is designed to assist SUD clinics in providing: (a) universal testing for hepatitis B and C; (b) comprehensive patient education on liver health; (c) immunization for hepatitis A and B, as needed; and (d) for hepatitis C positive patients, increased rates of successful referral to a hepatitis clinic.

• Continued preceptorship training and follow-up. The second Liver Health Initiative preceptorship was held in April, 2007, and included a pre-training assessment of services, a two-day in-person training, and follow-up calls at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post training. To date, SUD/gastroenterology provider teams from 25 VA facilities have received training. Data from the April 2006 preceptorship demonstrated that 4 of 11 attending clinics fully implemented and 6 clinics partially implemented a Liver Health Initiative program. These findings were presented at AcademyHealth in June, 2007.
• Program evaluation in Minneapolis: Additional projects are underway to retest immunity levels of patients who have completed the full vaccination series and assess pre-and post-educational group patient knowledge regarding hepatitis infections and attitudes towards hepatitis vaccinations. Data collection and analysis for both of these projects is expected to be completed in FY08.

Progress and Accomplishments

• Impacts, Contributions and Products
• Publications and Presentations
• Active and Completed Projects