Title: Retrieval of lost patients in the system for hepatitis C microelimination: A single-center
retrospective study
Version: 2 Date: 13 Apr 2021
Reviewer:  Anne-marie Roque-afonso
Reviewer's report:
Authors describe a hospital-based microelimination approach not targeting risk groups. This is
a simple and straightforward approach based on the identification and recall of patient found
HCV Ab positive in a county hospital in Taiwan.
HCV positive patients with unknown RNA status were retrospectively identified from 10 years
medical records. A significant manpower was invested during one year for the catch-up strategy,
2 nurses and an hepatologist) The catch-up strategy for the patients was double: first a strategy
that can be described as “passive” for patients returning to hospital, physicians are systematic
made aware through diverse electronic reminding systems; and second, an active call-back
strategy by contacting patients directly. The efficacy was enhanced by implementing a reflex
HCV RNA and genotyping testing. The efficacy of the catch-up strategy is very well summarized
in the flow chart with impressive results with >60% of patients being catched up, and nearly
90% of patients secondarily identified as HCV RNA -positive being treated treated
There is still a long was to obtain physicians awareness on HCV elimination. About 2/3 of HCV
Ab positive patients were not referred for HCV evaluation during the past 10 years; is this a lot?
may be this can be discussed and compared to other studies.
The retrieval rate is higher than reported in other studies. Were catch-up strategies different?
Most “back” patients were retrieved by the reminder strategy underling the importance of
physicians awareness. Only a few patients were retrieved by call. Indeed, the reasons for patient
refusal during telephone call have to be further investigated, as stated by authors. The barriers
to testing could be further discussed. Education for both patients and health professionals are
clearly needed, but what other avenues to enhance acceptance ?
Title: Retrieval of lost patients in the system for hepatitis C microelimination: A single-center
retrospective study
Version: 2 Date: 13 Apr 2021
Reviewer:  Anne-marie Roque-afonso
Reviewer's report:
Authors describe a hospital-based microelimination approach not targeting risk groups. This is
a simple and straightforward approach based on the identification and recall of patient found
HCV Ab positive in a county hospital in Taiwan.
HCV positive patients with unknown RNA status were retrospectively identified from 10 years
medical records. A significant manpower was invested during one year for the catch-up strategy,
2 nurses and an hepatologist) The catch-up strategy for the patients was double: first a strategy
that can be described as “passive” for patients returning to hospital, physicians are systematic
made aware through diverse electronic reminding systems; and second, an active call-back
strategy by contacting patients directly. The efficacy was enhanced by implementing a reflex
HCV RNA and genotyping testing. The efficacy of the catch-up strategy is very well summarized
in the flow chart with impressive results with >60% of patients being catched up, and nearly
90% of patients secondarily identified as HCV RNA -positive being treated treated
There is still a long was to obtain physicians awareness on HCV elimination. About 2/3 of HCV
Ab positive patients were not referred for HCV evaluation during the past 10 years; is this a lot?
may be this can be discussed and compared to other studies.
The retrieval rate is higher than reported in other studies. Were catch-up strategies different?
Most “back” patients were retrieved by the reminder strategy underling the importance of
physicians awareness. Only a few patients were retrieved by call. Indeed, the reasons for patient
refusal during telephone call have to be further investigated, as stated by authors. The barriers
to testing could be further discussed. Education for both patients and health professionals are
clearly needed, but what other avenues to enhance acceptance ?
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Retrieval of lost patients in the system for hepatitis C microelimination: A single-center
retrospective study
Version: 2 Date: 13 Apr 2021
Reviewer:  Anne-marie Roque-afonso
Reviewer's report:
Authors describe a hospital-based microelimination approach not targeting risk groups. This is
a simple and straightforward approach based on the identification and recall of patient found
HCV Ab positive in a county hospital in Taiwan.
HCV positive patients with unknown RNA status were retrospectively identified from 10 years
medical records. A significant manpower was invested during one year for the catch-up strategy,
2 nurses and an hepatologist) The catch-up strategy for the patients was double: first a strategy
that can be described as “passive” for patients returning to hospital, physicians are systematic
made aware through diverse electronic reminding systems; and second, an active call-back
strategy by contacting patients directly. The efficacy was enhanced by implementing a reflex
HCV RNA and genotyping testing. The efficacy of the catch-up strategy is very well summarized
in the flow chart with impressive results with >60% of patients being catched up, and nearly
90% of patients secondarily identified as HCV RNA -positive being treated treated
There is still a long was to obtain physicians awareness on HCV elimination. About 2/3 of HCV
Ab positive patients were not referred for HCV evaluation during the past 10 years; is this a lot?
may be this can be discussed and compared to other studies.
The retrieval rate is higher than reported in other studies. Were catch-up strategies different?
Most “back” patients were retrieved by the reminder strategy underling the importance of
physicians awareness. Only a few patients were retrieved by call. Indeed, the reasons for patient
refusal during telephone call have to be further investigated, as stated by authors. The barriers
to testing could be further discussed. Education for both patients and health professionals are
clearly needed, but what other avenues to enhance acceptance ?
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