Chronic hepatitis C infection is common in people with HIV. Studies suggest that 30 percent of all HIV-positive individuals in the US are co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Early detection and treatment of HCV among the people living with HIV are increasingly important in HIV care. As overall mortality related to HIV declines and life expectancy increases, end-stage liver disease has been identified as the cause of death in as many as 50 percent of hospitalized HIV-infected patients treated during the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) era. A large proportion of the liver pathology suffered by patients with HIV results from chronic co-infection with the hepatitis C virus. Guidelines suggest that all HIV-infected patients should be screened for anti-HCV antibodies.   

Formula:  The number of patients/clients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months whose hepatitis C status (seropositive or seronegative) is known, divided by the total number of patients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months.  Multiply by 100 to calculate percent.

Increase the total percentage of patients/clients with known hepatitis C status (seropositive or seronegative) to 95 percent.

Assess a random number of patients/client records monthly or at the frequency established by your quality improvement effort. Identify your sample (patients/clients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the previous 12 months).  For patients/clients in your sample, count the number of patients/clients whose hepatitis C status is known (seropositive or seronegative).  Divide by the total number of patients with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months. Multiply by 100 to calculate percent.

The National HIVQUAL Project’s Minimum Sample Table will help you determine the number of records to include in your sample. The Research Randomizer can generate a random number series to help you select which records to review.