National Screening Program Overview
Program Objectives & Process
The objectives of the AHF Hepatitis B Linkage to Care Program are the following:
- Conduct screening programs in a variety of settings across the country, with a focus on Asian-American communities (ie. Employee based, Health fairs, Community Health Centers)
- Ensure clear links to follow up care for all persons who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and all persons who should be vaccinated
- Capture and pool standardized data from all screening programs for future public policy and advocacy use
The AHF will have a process built to specifically allow other interested organizations to partner with it in order to properly screen, follow, and capture patient data. Major elements of the Hepatitis B Linkage to Care program are to be available on this web site, including:
- This program is divided up into four steps. The first is to register, so we know who you are and you can save your progress to come back at any time and complete your application. The second step is where we will ask you to fill out a variety of fields that describe your personnel and capacity to conduct a screening program. The third step in the application asks you to describe your plans and budget so you are able to follow the protocol we have set forth as part of this program. In this step, we also provide you with our standard template forms you would need in order to participate in this program. The final step is the review and submission of the application. This step also allows you to describe or request any items you may need from us. Should your application be accepted, we will provide more detailed information concerning the protocol and data collection process.
- Online application to be a site in the program. Applications will be reviewed by a special AHF Linkage to Care Committee. The application includes specific data fields, including location of the screening program, target population, advertising strategies, proposed plans linking screened subjects to care, willingness to collect and share data, prior experience, available personnel and resources, etc.
- Catalogue of subject consent forms, questionnaire, and other standardized documents required for uniform data collection.
Protocol Overview
We would like to work with your organization so that you may join us in helping to properly screen those at risk for hepatitis b and get them the needed care they may require. We may be able to help provide supplemental resources to aid your organization so it may screen at risk persons in your community. Please see following in order to view the AHF Hepatitis B Linkage to Care protocol. This will give you a better idea of what to expect should you choose to join this program.
Data Collection Overview
All data collected will be entered into an online AHF secured, HIPAA compliant database. The purpose of collecting aggregate, de-identified data from multiple screening programs is to be able to report a large sample size that can be representative of not just an isolated location, but also a larger geographic segment of society. This will provide a broader and more complete picture of the true prevalence of hepatitis B in the United States. In addition to the screening results, a one-page hepatitis B questionnaire will also be required to be completed by each person screened, which will also be captured in the database.
This questionnaire will help us collect important demographic and other family history data, which is important so we can better understand the disease burden. As part of the protocol, we are also implementing follow up phone calls to individuals who should be vaccinated, or test positive and should seek follow-up care. This data will be reported so we can learn what percentage of the individuals getting tested are actually taking the recommended steps and following the program based on their test results. No patient names will be recorded or entered at any time, but rather, all entered information will be assigned unique identifiers in order to protect patient privacy. During the application process you will have an opportunity to view the questionnaire, as well as other standardized documents to be used as part of this program.
