Hepatitis C Virus
Adult

Hepatology

Useful Management Information

  • HCV RNA (patient is eligible for one test per year under Medicare)
  • Medical management
  • Screening and vaccination for Hepatitis A for patients
  • Screening and vaccination for Hepatitis B of sexual contacts and immediate family members
  • Natural history of disease, transmission risks and precautions
  • Lifelong monitoring of disease for hepatocellular cancer screening with USS and AFP if advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis disclosure and treatment options
  • Address misuse of other substance (illicit and prescription drugs)
  • Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)
  • Consider cessation of alcohol, hepatotoxic medication, herbal preparations, supplements, NSAIDs and benzodiazepines

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • Acute and/or chronic Hepatitis C with concerning features or ALT >500
  • Concerning features:
    • Evidence of liver decompensation i.e. jaundice and/or ascites and/or encephalopathy
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Acute and/or chronic Hepatitis C without concerning features
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • No category 3 criteria
  • If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested:
    • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service.

Essential Referral Information

  • Height, weight and BMI
  • ELFT
  • FBC
  • HIV Serology
  • Fasting glucose & Lipids results
  • HBV & HCV serology
  • HCV RNA qualitative/quantitative and genotype
  • Upper abdominal Ultrasound reports

If a specific test result cannot be obtained due to access, financial, religious, cultural or consent reasons a clinical override may be requested. This reason must be clearly articulated in the body of the referral.

Additional Referral Information

  • Alcohol and illicit drug history
  • Medication history including non-prescription medications, herbs, supplements
  • Record of previous liver function tests, imaging and/or liver biopsy results
Last updated 16 July 2021

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Send to: Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

Hepatology (E-Blueslips)

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Russell Canavan
Medical Director Hepatology, and Gastroenterology

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Gold Coast Health - For Clinicians
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