Promotion of intrahospital referral of hepatitis virus-positive patients to hepatology specialists through interprofessional collaboration, including clinical laboratory technicians

Abstract

Hepatitis virus tests are commonly performed, particularly for preoperative assessment. Although with a limited effect, alert systems in electronic medical records are a measure to promote the referral of hepatitis virus carriers to hepatology specialists. Additionally, our hospital has been conducting study sessions for nonspecialized clinical departments and individual recommendations through interprofessional collaboration, including clinical laboratory technicians. The response rate to patients positive for hepatitis virus in each nonspecialized clinical department increased after the study sessions. Furthermore, it increased dramatically to 92.1% after individual recommendations through interprofessional collaboration. Of all patients with internal referrals to hepatologists through recommending consultation, 20 patients with hepatitis B started nucleotide analogs, and 32 patients with hepatitis C started direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Moreover, the rate of internal referrals increased as a consultation opportunity for cases treated with DAAs. Study sessions in each clinical department and individual recommendations through interprofessional collaboration are useful for recommending intrahospital consultations.