Virginia Hepatitis C Education & Patient Connection (VA HEPC) is part of Sentara Medical Group
We empower clinicians, care teams, and patients to enhance hepatitis C (HCV) elimination in Virginia by breaking down barriers to access curative treatments through improved knowledge and resources.
We offer HCV treatment through telemedicine for patients in Virginia.
Patients identified as having positive HCV RNA should be treated. Curative treatment is available for hepatitis C with 8-12 weeks of Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) oral medication with minimal, if any, side effects. Following treatment, a lab is needed in 12 weeks, checking the HCV PCR/RNA to determine cure.
Make a Referral to VA HEPC Telemedicine
Your patients with positive HCV RNA should be treated.
Check out these easy step-by-step instructions to make sure your patient gets treated for HCV.
get trained to treat Hepatitis C
HCV medication can be prescribed without a specialist. General practitioners can incorporate HCV treatment into their primary care practices. VA HEPC offers an 8-hour day training session, multiple times a year, in-person and virtually, to increase clinician and care team knowledge about hepatitis C and comfort level with navigating patients through treatment or prescribing DAAs. Our next training is March 14, 2025.
Virginia HEPC Referral and HCV Treatment FAQs
What are the guidelines for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C?
The Infectious Diseases Society of America in partnership with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases developed guidelines for HCV. Visit hcvguidelines.org to learn more.
What if my patient is positive for HCV antibody?
You can order a lab to test for HCV RNA that would indicate a current HCV infection. Use these instructions to order labs, then make a referral to VA HEPC Telemedicine if your patient’s HCV RNA is positive.
I have a patient with a positive HCV RNA test, what should I do?
Follow-up and make sure the patient gets treated. Use these instructions to make a referral to VA HEPC Telemedicine using Sentara SmartSets.
Can patients with a history of injection drug use be effectively treated for HCV?
Yes. There is strong evidence from various settings that those who inject drugs have demonstrated adherence to treatment and had low rates of reinfection, countering arguments that have been commonly used to limit treatment access in this patient population. Learn more about when and in whom to initiate HCV treatment.
How can I learn to treat patients for HCV?
VA HEPC offers training for clinicians and care teams two times each year. Participants can join in-person or virtually for an 8-hour day training session. The training prepares clinicians and care teams to navigate patients through treatment for hepatitis C. Virginia HEPC also offers ongoing training and support in the monthly online Community of Practice sessions.
When is the next training and how do I sign up?
The next training is scheduled on Friday, March 14th at Sentara. Click here to learn more and register.
Can I get support for a patient from an ID specialist?
Yes, you can request a consult with our ID specialist. Use this link to request an online consultation.