title: Duplicate hepatitis C antibody testing in New York City, 2006-2010.
abstract: Repeating a hepatitis C virus antibody test for a person who previously tested positive provides no new information, wastes resources, and may reflect poor coordination of medical care. Using public health surveillance data collected by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, we evaluated the magnitude of duplicate antibody testing and assessed patient-level and facility-level risk factors for duplicate testing. From 2006 to 2010, 70,257 duplicate tests were performed for 58,886 individuals in New York City, costing an estimated $1.4 million. Analyses using a polytomous logistic regression model indicated that individuals in correctional and substance abuse treatment facilities were more likely to undergo duplicate testing. Future efforts should focus on coordinating medical information and care for hepatitis C antibody-positive individuals to ensure that the recommended diagnostic follow-up and treatment services are provided.
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, NY ; Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, New York, NY ; Current affiliation: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, NY.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bornschlegel
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, NY.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McGibbon
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, New York, NY ; Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, New York, NY ; Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Pediatrics, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arpadi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies