Hepatitis C Virus Screening

Abstract

Objective: To provide a review on the use, percent positive agreement (PPA), percent negative agreement (PNA), and implementation of using the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening in community pharmacies in an effort to increase overall HCV screening in target populations. Data Sources: PubMed and Sagepub were searched for the following keywords: hepatitis C virus, rapid diagnostic tests, rapid assay, and rapid HCV assay. Dates searched were from January 2000 to October 2013. Study Selection: All studies including the use of the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test were included. Data Synthesis: Sensitivity and specificity of this device are compared with several standard laboratory tests for detecting HCV antibodies. In comparing these values with the clinical “standards,” PPA and PNA are more applicable terms to describe whether the OraQuick device is an effective tool for initial screening by pharmacists. The OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test demonstrates high accuracy in providing accurate HCV infection status. Conclusion: The OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test is a unique tool pharmacists can use in an effort to enhance the screening capabilities for HCV infection. Pharmacists often have the most contact with those patients at high risk for having contracted HCV in the past. With a relatively high PPA and high NPA, a high confidence in the accuracy of the device can be placed on initial test results. Patients should then be triaged to proper follow-up care depending on initial results.