Optimizing HCV Linkage to Care Experiences Implementing Laboratory Based Reflex Testing

Hepatitis C (HCV) programs have introduced viral load testing as a strategy to reduce the steps in the HCV diagnostic pathway and improve linkage to care. Laboratory-based HCV reflex virologic testing refers to a testing algorithm in which patients have only a single clinical encounter and only one blood draw or specimen taken (in some cases may be divided in two tubes) and sent to the lab. If the sample for anti-HCV testing in the lab is positive, then the same existing or duplicate sample is used for a “reflex” lab-based HCV viral load test.