Hepatitis C Service Provision at Washington State Opioid Treatment Programs

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) case numbers are rapidly rising in the United States, with up to 57,500 new infections occurring per year, most often among people who inject drugs. Initial infections are usually mild but, left untreated, become chronic creating health risks, increasing healthcare costs, decreasing productivity, reducing the quality of life, and causing premature death. In response, Washington State developed the "Hep C Free Initiative" in 2019 to mobilize a multisectoral response to help stop the epidemic. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) plays a significant role, facilitating cross-sector partnerships that leverage diverse resources. To understand better how the DOH can support opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in offering on-site HCV care, a descriptive study was conducted. Medical directors and administrators from 23 OTPs were surveyed to determine their programs' scope of on-site HCV testing and treatment, barriers to service expansion, and interest in future educational opportunities. Results show that OTPs have made significant progress but barriers continue to exist. DOH will utilize the information gathered to inform future programming with OTPs.