Innovative Hospital-Based Program Boosts Hepatitis C Treatment for New Mothers

Hepatitis C, a serious bloodborne virus that damages the liver and can lead to conditions such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, remains prevalent worldwide, especially among women of reproductive age. Despite the availability of highly effective antiviral treatments, many women diagnosed during pregnancy do not initiate or complete therapy postpartum, often due to gaps in follow-up care.

Recent research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has introduced a groundbreaking approach to address this challenge. The program, called "Meds to Beds," involves initiating hepatitis C treatment while the new mother is still hospitalized after childbirth, rather than relying solely on outpatient follow-up appointments. This strategy significantly improves treatment completion rates.

In a study reviewing 149 postpartum women with hepatitis C who delivered at Barnes-Jewish Hospital between January 2020 and September 2023, those who received antiviral medication during their hospital stay were twice as likely to be cured compared to those referred for outpatient care. The traditional model often results in many women missing crucial follow-up, with over half of outpatient referrals not attending their appointments.

Dr. Laura Marks, senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of integrating infectious disease treatment into maternity care, stating, "We partnered across departments to ensure women at delivery have the option to receive treatment for hepatitis C before leaving the hospital. This approach helps prevent the many women who would otherwise fall through the cracks."

The "Meds to Beds" program involves a multidisciplinary collaboration between obstetrics, infectious diseases, and hepatology teams, aiming to start antiviral therapy immediately postpartum and deliver medications directly to bedside. This method not only enhances treatment adherence but also has a ripple effect, protecting future pregnancies and the health of families.

Moreover, the success of this program has prompted plans to expand its application beyond postpartum care to other patients with hepatitis C and potentially other infectious diseases. Since 2023, over 200 patients have benefited from this bedside medication delivery at WashU Medicine, demonstrating its effectiveness and feasibility.

The initiative underscores a shift towards more integrated, patient-centered care models that break down traditional barriers between inpatient and outpatient treatment, ultimately striving for higher cure rates and healthier communities.

For more details, see the full study in "Obstetrics & Gynecology Open." Source: Medical Xpress.