Rapid diagnosis of active Hepatitis C viral infection presenting at ANW, Mercy, United, or Unity hospital emergency departments with increased risk factors for HCV infection who otherwise may not be diagnosed and treated due to lack of primary care, housing insecurity/homelessness, substance abuse, and/or high-risk sexual behavior

• Due to 4 hour stability this test cannot be collected at sites other than ANW-Main Campus, Mercy- Mercy and Unity campuses, and United – United Hospital campus.
• Assay cannot distinguish between acute and chronic states of infection.
• Specimens other than EDTA microtainer whole blood collected from a fingerstick may result in inaccurate results..
• Erroneous results may occur from improper collection, technical error, or HCV RNA below the level of detection.
• A negative result does not exclude the possibility of infection.

Microtainer - lavender (EDTA)

1. Gather collection supplies; Lancet (minimum 2 mm depth), Microtainer EDTA, alcohol wipe, gauze, bandage, warming pack.
2. Warm patient’s hands with warm pack for 5-10 minutes. Hand should be warm to the touch.   Failure to warm the hand may result in insufficient blood flow for collection.
3. Have patient clench and unclench hand 10 times.
4. Clean tip of middle or ring finger with alcohol and allow to dry.
5. Uncap microtainer and place nearby.
6. With patient’s palm facing the floor, firmly place lancet slightly to side of finger pad and trigger the lancet.
7. Wipe first drop of blood with gauze pad.
8. Keeping the finger in downward position, touch the open end of microtainer at 30-45 angle to the drop of blood.
9. Gentle massage finger to maintain blood flow.
10. Tap the microtainer between drops to move blood drops to bottom of container and avoid clotting.
11. Fill microtainer until between the 250 and 500 marks.
12. Recap the container securely. Mix the specimen by inverting at least 10 times.
13. Have patient hold gauze on finger tip to stop bleeding. Followed by application of bandage.

Ambient - 15-30°C for up to 4 hours

• Specimens other than whole blood collected in EDTA microtainer from fingerstick.
• Specimens received outside of the listed transport and stability requirements.

Real time PCR (RT-PCR)

Not Detected

Agreement between Xpert HCV Test Results with the Patient Infected Status