Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C — referral criteria for Gastroenterology services.

Eligibility

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

Clinically suspected or confirmed hepatitis c 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 C (HCV) RNA positive unable to be managed and treated in community-based services

Usually managed in primary care

Hepatitis C should managed and treated through suitable community-based services wherever possible
Patients who are hepatitis C (HCV) RNA negative who are not at ongoing risk of cirrhosis