Emergency-department tool to detect Hepatitis C
Assessing performance of a Hepatitis C Emergency Department (HepC-END) Screening Tool
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · NIH-11143909
An AI-guided screening tool will be used in emergency departments to help find adults with undiagnosed Hepatitis C, especially people who inject drugs or have HIV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11143909 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you visit a participating emergency department, the project will use routine clinical information and algorithmic risk rules to flag adults who might have undiagnosed Hepatitis C. The team will develop and implement a tailored screening tool that combines electronic health record data and AI-based algorithms to identify people at higher risk. Flagged patients would be offered HCV testing in the ED, and positive results would be linked to follow-up care and antiviral treatment. The study will compare this targeted approach to existing screening methods to see if it finds more infections sustainably.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) presenting to participating emergency departments, particularly those with risk factors like injection drug use or known HIV infection, are the ideal candidates for this screening approach.
Not a fit: Children, people not visiting participating emergency departments, and individuals already diagnosed and cured of Hepatitis C are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could find more people with hidden Hepatitis C earlier and connect them to curative antiviral treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Other emergency-department HCV screening programs have identified previously unrecognized infections, but using an AI-tailored screening tool in this way is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA — GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PARK, HAESUK — UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- Study coordinator: PARK, HAESUK
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus