Emergency Department opt-out bloodborne virus screening.

Many people are thought to be living with an undiagnosed bloodborne virus (BBV). To ensure these infections are picked up as early as possible, all patients over the age of 16 attending our emergency department and having a blood test taken will also be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV from 1 October 2024.

Hepatitis B and C are viruses that affect the liver and HIV affects the immune system.

This method of testing has already been adopted by hospitals in London, Blackpool, Manchester, Nottingham and Brighton, successfully helping many patients access effective treatment.

Hepatitis B and HIV can be managed with medication helping to prevent health complications that can develop as a result of uncontrolled chronic (long-term) infection. Hepatitis C is now curable.

Medication for all of these conditions helps to prevent transmission.

Consent

Testing for BBVs in our Emergency Department will occur on an ‘opt-out’ basis. This means if you have a blood sample taken as part of your care, we will automatically test for BBVs. If you do not wish to be tested for these viruses, please let a member of staff know. This will not in any way affect the care you receive from us. If you are not required to have a blood test during your visit, you will not be tested for BBVs.

Results

If you would like to check whether or not you were tested and if so what your results were, please contact sth.EDoptoutresults.nhs.net.

Further information

Here is some information about each of the three viruses that are new to our testing programme.  

Hepatitis C 
Hepatitis C affects your liver and can lead to serious liver problems if not treated. You can have hepatitis C for many years and not notice any symptoms, but this does not mean it isn’t affecting your liver.  Hepatitis C is curable. Treatment is a course of tablets, taken for 8-12 weeks. You are unlikely to experience side-effects from the treatment. 

Further support: www.hepctrust.org.uk 

HIV 
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus. HIV can be causing damage silently for many years; you may have no signs or symptoms.  For the vast majority of people with HIV, treatment is normally a fixed dose combination tablet, taking it once a day. The treatment is so effective that it stops the virus from reproducing in your body. It reduces the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning you cannot pass on HIV and can expect to live a normal lifespan.

Further support from Terrence Higgins Trust: www.tht.org.uk

Hepatitis B 
Hepatitis B affects your liver. Most adults that contract hepatitis B recover fully, but if contracted as a child, self-clearing of the virus is unlikely. Treatment is very effective and is usually in the form of tablets. Some people do not need treatment for the virus as it may not be causing damage to the liver. They will need regular check-ups though. An important other step is to vaccinate those that live with you and these vaccines can be provided free of charge by your GP.  

Further information and support at:
https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/hepatitis-b/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-b/  

Background to the programme

The first phase of the opt testing for blood borne viruses (BBV) went live in emergency departments in April 2022. This was the first new funding for HIV testing in nearly a decade and formed an important part of the HIV Action Plan, to end new cases of HIV by 2030. In partnership with the HCV Elimination program at NHS England, testing was expanded to include hepatitis B and C.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is part of the second phase of the rollout as part of new funding provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and NHS England.

< back