Screening, Detecting and Enhancing the Yield of Previously Undiagnosed Hepatitis B and C In Patients with Acute Medical Admissions to Hospital: A Pilot Project Undertaken at the Vancouver General Hospital

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) represent an increasing health burden and morbidity in Canada. Viral hepatitis, specifically HCV, has high prevalence among persons born between 1945 and 1965, with 45% to 85% of infected adults asymptomatic and unaware of their infection. Screening has been shown to be cost effective in the detection and treatment of viral hepatitis