Hepatitis C is a liver-infecting virus affecting around 3.5 million Americans, often undetected. While there is no vaccine yet, a cure for Hep C exists.
How can you get Hep C?
Untreated Hepatitis C can lead to severe liver conditions like cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure, sometimes even resulting in the need for a transplant. That’s why testing and early treatment are so important for people at risk. Many patients receiving Hepatitis C care also benefit from HIV testing, STI screening, and preventative healthcare services available through Central Outreach.
Central Outreach Wellness Center launched its Hepatitis C and HIV Rapid Testing and Linkage to Care Program on November 1, 2017, with an initial focus on individuals in the addiction recovery community. Since its inception, the program has expanded its reach across Pennsylvania and Ohio, providing testing and linkage to care at methadone and Suboxone clinics, pain management facilities, homeless shelters, and other community-based locations. The program's overarching goal is to eliminate Hepatitis C by increasing access to testing, treatment, and cure, particularly among populations at elevated risk.
Our outreach teams utilize rapid Hepatitis C antibody tests that require only a finger prick and a single drop of blood, with results available in approximately 20 minutes. Patients who test positive are connected to confirmatory testing and clinical evaluation. When active infection is confirmed, our clinical teams develop individualized treatment plans, coordinate necessary laboratory testing, and facilitate access to curative medication. Patients receive ongoing support and care navigation throughout the treatment process.
Building on this established outreach model, Central Outreach has expanded its Hepatitis C services through the development of HepCMyWay Centers of Excellence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Columbus, Ohio. These centralized hubs serve as dedicated locations for Hepatitis C testing, treatment, and cure, connecting community-based outreach with comprehensive clinical care. By bringing essential services together in accessible locations, the Centers of Excellence strengthen continuity of care, reduce barriers to treatment, and support patients from initial diagnosis through cure.
Our long-term objective remains to identify, engage, and treat as many individuals living with Hepatitis C as possible across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Through continued collaboration with addiction recovery facilities, healthcare providers, community organizations, and public health partners, Central Outreach is working to expand access to curative treatment and advance the elimination of Hepatitis C in the communities we serve.
| Type of Clinic | Total Tested | Total(+) | %Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suboxone | 2,695 | 1,316 | 48.8% |
| Methadone | 2,318 | 1,388 | 59.9% |
| Shelter | 398 | 172 | 43.2% |
| Outpatient Drug & Alcohol | 388 | 129 | 33.2% |
| Inpatient Drug & Alcohol | 281 | 119 | 42.3% |
| Outreach Events | 173 | 41 | 23.7% |
| Inpatient Corrections | 143 | 69 | 48.3% |
| Addiction/Recovery House | 122 | 41 | 33.6% |
| Walk-In | 110 | 65 | 59.1% |
| Grand Total | 6,628 | 3,340 | 50.4% |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New (+) | 82 | 1,248 | 654 | 633 | 442 | 627 | 3,686 |
| Known (+) | 20 | 226 | 646 | 786 | 1,713 | 3,206 | 6,597 |
| Total Positive | 102 | 1,474 | 1,300 | 1,419 | 2,155 | 3,833 | 10,283 |
| Total Negative | 103 | 1,151 | 1,499 | 1,748 | 2,924 | 5,759 | 13,184 |
| Total Tested | 205 | 2,625 | 2,799 | 3,167 | 5,079 | 9,592 | 23,467 |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % (+), New (+) | 80.40% | 84.70% | 50.30% | 44.60% | 20.50% | 16.40% |
| % (+), Known (+) | 19.60% | 15.30% | 49.70% | 55.40% | 79.50% | 83.60% |
| Total % Positive | 49.80% | 56.20% | 46.40% | 44.80% | 42.40% | 40% |
| Total % Negative | 50.20% | 43.80% | 53.60% | 55.20% | 57.60% | 60% |
| Year Over Year | 17-18 | 18-19 | 19-20 | 20-21 | 21-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Tested | 2420 | 174 | 386 | 1912 | 4513 |
| % Increased | 1180% | 7% | 13% | 60% | 89% |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New (+) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 38 | 100 | 147 |
| Known (+) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 235 | 882 | 1,139 |
| Total Positive | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 273 | 982 | 1,286 |
| Total Negative | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 265 | 1,344 | 1,635 |
| Total Tested | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 538 | 2,326 | 2,921 |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % (+), New (+) | 29% | 13.90% | 10.20% | |||
| % (+), Known (+) | 71% | 86.10% | 89.80% | |||
| Total % Positive | 54.40% | 50.70% | 42.20% | |||
| Total % Negative | 45.60% | 49.30% | 57.80% |
| Year over Year | 17-18 | 18-19 | 19-20 | 20-21 | 21-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Tested | 481 | 1788 | |||
| % Increased | 844% | 332% |
Would you be interested in RAPID Hepatitis C & HIV testing at your facility? Would you be interested in staff education on HEP C, HIV, and STIs?
Hep-C Testing Form866-WE-CURE-HEP-C
Contact one of our team members listed below
Kathi Scholz, CRNP, Outreach Director
Contact Kathi
Andrea Stewart, CRNP
Contact Andrea
Kweilynn Greene, CRNP
Contact Kweilynn
Carol Soltes, Admin
Contact Carol
Kyle Jackson STI,RN
Contact Kyle
Megan Ackerman - Pitt East
Contact Megan
Lex Fontana - Pitt
Contact Lex
Jenna Panhorst - Pitt
Contact Jenna
Emily Nolan - Pitt
Contact Emily
Haley Miller - Washington
Contact Kyle
Amber Huber - Indiana
Contact Amber
Amanda Duffey - Johnstown & Altoona
Contact Amanda
Jo Diaz - Harrisburg
Contact Jo
Pam Reese - Harrisburg
Contact Pam
Paige Scholz - Pitt
Contact Paige
Daria Wells - Erie
Contact Daria
Debra Evans
Contact Debra
Christina Gast, CRNP
Contact Christina
Amber Grinnell, CRNP
Contact Amber
Tessa Jones, CRNP
Contact Tessa
Betsy - Admin
Contact Betsy
Stephanie McAlpine
Contact Stephanie
Melissa Keeton
Contact Melissa
Stephanie Asher
Contact Stephanie
Ashley Footman
Contact Ashley
Stacie Jackson
Contact Stacie
Jamie Taylor
Contact Jamie
Martina Walker
Contact Martina
Betsy Ferrell
Contact Betsy
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of Hepatitis C include fever, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, belly pain, dark urine, gray-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and muscle aches. However, many people may not experience any symptoms at all, which is why Hep C testing is crucial.
The good news is that Hep C is a treatable and curable condition. If you test positive, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Hep C treatment works by targeting and eliminating the virus from your body, preventing long-term liver damage. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your specific case.
HepCMyWay, powered by Central Outreach Wellness Center, provides accessible Hepatitis C testing, treatment, and cure services throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. Our HepCMyWay Centers of Excellence in Pittsburgh, PA, and Columbus, OH, serve as centralized locations for comprehensive Hepatitis C care and a hub for support and resources to care and harm reduction .
For added convenience, HepCMyWay also offers telemedicine appointments, prescription delivery, and ongoing patient support, allowing eligible patients to receive treatment from the comfort of their own homes on their own terms with flexible hours to accommodate busy schedules.
Learn more about HepCMyWay or call 866-WE-CURE-HEP-C to connect with our team and explore your treatment options.
