By "going out", we can reach all the populations concerned by viral hepatitis. To do this, we have set up several actions.
Priority consultations
The "priority" consultation facilitates the care of patients in precarious situations who are carriers of viral hepatitis. It takes place every Friday morning in the Aquitaine Viral Hepatitis Expert Center.
In case of any suspicion of infection by the hepatitis B, C or D virus, a request for treatment is sent to the following address: info.bmshv@chu-bordeaux.fr. As soon as we receive this email, we organize a first appointment within a maximum of 15 days. On that day, patients receive a complete and comprehensive care:
- consultation with the doctor
- complete blood test and FibroScan examination (non-invasive and non-painful examination of the liver to evaluate its condition);
- therapeutic education session with a nurse
- meeting with professionals from the AIDES association
It takes about 1 hour of presence in the service. At the end of these discussions, the patient's follow-up is organized and he/she leaves with the invitation for his/her next appointment.
In order to improve the patient's adherence to the care, we have implemented several actions that are bearing fruit since we have a 92% rate of attendance at the first appointment despite the distance of the Haut Lévêque hospital group from downtown Bordeaux:
- we send the appointment notice directly to the patient and, if necessary, translate the notice into the patient's native language;
- we systematically contact patients by phone, email, SMS or WhatsApp before their consultation;
- we send them a precise itinerary including streetcar stops and how to reach us once the streetcar leaves. If needed, we also translate this itinerary.
The Hepatitis Free University Hospital project
In 2021, BMSHV launched another project: the CHU de Bordeaux Sans Hépatite Virale (CHUSHV), whose objective is to identify possible untreated viral hepatitis in patients hospitalized in different units of the hospital. The different care units were contacted to present our project and our actions. Their mission is simple: send us an email on the dedicated address, as soon as they see the word "hepatitis" in a medical file. We then look at the file and evaluate whether a consultation is necessary or not. If it is, we transfer the call to the team and notify the patient.
Information and screening sessions
BMSHV organizes information sessions on viral hepatitis for all those involved in the care of patients at two meetings per year.
We also participate in training and screening activities organized by our partners.
Actions "outside”
In order to reach all populations, the physicians of the Aquitaine Viral Hepatitis Expert Center provide consultations called "advanced consultations". They travel and take care of patients infected by a viral hepatitis virus:
- in the CSAPA / CAARUD of the CEID Addictions
- in the Gradignan prison.
"Screening is always good news, think about it".