In rural Pennsylvania, transportation is considered a socioeconomic barrier and social detriment to personal health. Using an evidence-based model of population health by bringing the care into the high-risk population's community setting reduces the transportation and socioeconomic barriers of the most vulnerable at risk populations.
It is estimated that 35% to 65% of Opioid Substitution Treatment Patients (OST), are infected with HCV. Therefore, OPT programs that are already operating will be engaged and will be a primary focus for patient screening and recruitment for these services. In addition, high volume venues attracting high-risk populations will also be targeted to encourage HCV screening, education, and treatment.
Primary Objectives:
To screen Opioid Substitution Treatment Patients (OST), high-risk individual at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP), and/or all high-risk populations in outlying sites (Anti-HCV prevalence)
To initiate HCV treatment of OST patients and other high-risk individuals at OTP facilities and/or high risk populations in outlying sites (linkage of care)
To maintain the successful HCV therapy and cure \[Sustained Viral Response (SVR)\] in OST patients and other high-risk individuals at OPT facility and/or high risk populations in outlying sites (retention)
To facilitate the use of a patient navigator and nursing case management staff to reduce barriers to initial screening and patient education
