THE HEPATITIS DASHBOARD’: A NURSE LED MODEL OF CARE THAT SUPPORTS HEPATITIS C ELIMINATION EFFORTS IN WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

Author: Bondezi K, Guo X, Chu A, Schramko J, Villanueva J, Wade A, Phu A, Ahlenstiel G, George J

Theme: Models of Care Year: 2025
Background:
Hepatitis C (HCV) elimination requires the combined efforts of multiple stakeholders and innovative models of care. Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) in Australia, have designed and implemented ‘The Hepatitis Dashboard’. Storr Liver Center utilizes a nurse-led model of care using the ‘Dashboard’ that provides real-time visualisation and high-level overview of inpatients and patients presenting to emergency department who have tested for hepatitis since 2019. Patients often get tested and do not follow through with treatment pathways. 

Description of model of care:
The Dashboard enhances diagnosis confirmation and fast tracks treatment uptake through identifying patients and providing opportunistic follow up pathways. Testing data is collected from NSW Health Pathology, patient electronic medical and medication records.

The Dashboard refreshes daily and focuses on follow up of HCV positive tests only.  A nurse is allocated to review the Dashboard data, then collaborates with the current admitting team to ensure the patient’s HCV diagnosis is acknowledged, and a treatment pathway is established where required. Importantly engagement and rapport opportunities are created. This is essential in populations who find it challenging to engage with health services.

Effectiveness:
Between December 2021 and December 2024, a total of 617 HCV Ab or HCV RNA positive ‘Dashboard’ patients were reviewed. Seventy-one percent (439) of these patients were HCV RNA negative. Fifty-seven percent (102)  were managed by another provider, refused treatment or were deceased. Thirty-six percent (64) initiated treatment via this model. Twelve patients are currently in treatment workup pathway.

Conclusion and next steps:
The complexity of people living with HCV requires innovative, committed, passionate and assertive follow up. The Hepatitis Dashboard Nurse-led Model of Care has proven to be a successful tool in WSLHD to assist in case finding and increase treatment uptake. Expansion of the project to other services will help reach elimination targets. 
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