Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B — referral criteria for Gastroenterology services.

Full SRC reference

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed hepatitis b with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Acute liver failure

Sepsis in a patient with cirrhosis

Severe hepatic encephalopathy

Severe ascites restricting movement and breathing

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) positive

Pregnant women who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) positive

Patients who are immunosuppressed or starting immunosuppressant medicines who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HbcAb) positive (e.g. transplant patients, starting chemotherapy)

Usually managed in primary care

Patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) negative, unless they are immunosuppressed or starting immunosuppressant medicines and are hepatitis B core antibody positive