Transfusion Lookback Project
In 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended people who received a blood transfusion before July 1992 be counseled about the possible risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV).
The Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) was
one of the first hospitals in the nation to act on this
recommendation. ANMC developed and implemented a project to use available records to identify people who may have been exposed to HCV via a blood transfusion prior to July 1992. These individuals included patients who received a transfusion at ANMC, patients who received a transfusion while they were in the Providence Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and ANMC patients who had cardiac surgery involving transfusions or cardiac bypass procedures.
People who should be tested for hepatitis C:
- Anyone who received transfusions and was notified the blood came from someone who tested positive for hepatitis C.
- Recipients of blood transfusions or organs before July 1992.
- Anyone who received a blood product for clotting problems before 1987.
- Long-term dialysis patients.
- Anyone who has injected illegal drugs.
- Health care and public safety workers who have been exposed to hepatitis C positive blood.
- Children born to women with hepatitis C.
If you feel that you are at risk for hepatitis C, please seek the advice of your healthcare provider. If you are an Alaska Native or American Indian residing in Alaska, you may contact us at (907) 729-1560 or 1-800-OKLIVER (1-800-655-4837) from outside of the Anchorage area.
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