The distribution across the referring departments of patients who were referred to a hepatologist from non-hepatology departments and the patients clinical courses after the referral was examined. this study, we investigated the number of referrals to hepatologists before vs. after the introduction of this system (that is, in fiscal years 2013 [Period 1] and 2014 [Period 2], respectively), and the subsequent clinical courses of the patients. == Results == The proportions of patients with HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody positivity did not show statistically significant differences between Period 1 and Period 2 (1.6 % [43/2,757] vs. 1.3 % [39/2,891],p= 0.58; and 5.8 % [156/2,674] vs. 5.3 % [147/2,790],p= 0.39, respectively). However, the referral proportions for patients with HBsAg- and anti-HCV antibody positivity were significantly higher in Period 2 (73 % [11/15] and 65 % [41/63], respectively) than in Period 1 (28 % [5/18] and 17 % [9/54]) (p= 0.009 andp< 0.001, respectively). Among patients who were referred to hepatologists, 2 HBsAg-positive and 4 anti-HCV antibody positive patients initiated antiviral treatment. == Conclusion == Our simple electronic medical record based alert system effectively promoted intra-hospital referral of hepatitis virus-positive patients, who have been detected by screening assessments, to hepatologists. == Electronic supplementary material == The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1765-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Keywords:Hepatitis B computer virus, Hepatitis C computer virus, Screening, Intra-hospital referral == Background == Chronic contamination with hepatitis B computer virus (HBV) and hepatitis C computer virus (HCV) is the major cause of end-stage liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [1,2]. However, disease progression and malignancy development can be inhibited by antiviral treatment [36], especially with SR-4370 the recent improvements in these antiviral treatments. Thus, referral of hepatitis computer virus- positive individuals to a hepatologist at least once in their lifetime is recommended [7]. Unfortunately, in many Western countries, even though patients are successfully screened, many do not receive confirmatory screening for HBV or HCV [811]. In Japan, although SR-4370 medical check-ups for HBV and HCV contamination are conducted nationwide, not all those who are found to be positive for these viruses seek specialist medical attention or receive proper treatment from a hepatologist. Thus, the government is usually collaborating with two in-country civil society groups-the Japan Hepatitis Council and the Viral Hepatitis Research Foundation of SR-4370 Japan-to develop and implement its viral hepatitis prevention and control program [12]. In hospitals, screening SR-4370 for HBV and HCV is performed as part of daily practice, as a preoperative or pretransfusion screening test. However, the efficiency of intra-hospital collaboration with hepatologists in relation to the follow-up treatment of HBV- or HCV- positive individuals detected by screening tests remains unclear. Recently, Furukawa et al. reported on the current management practices for patients with hepatitis B surface antigen- (HBsAg-) and anti-HCV- antibody positivity in Rabbit polyclonal to ERGIC3 non-hepatology departments at Saga University or college Hospital [13]. The prevalence proportions of HBsAg- and anti-HCV antibody positive individuals were 1.9 and 5.6 %, respectively. However, 79 % of HBV- and 82 % of probable HCV- positive patients were not referred to hepatologists. To address this issue, a system to manage hepatitis computer virus- positive patients and to ensure that they receive specialist care should be established as soon as possible in medical institutions that have hepatologists among their staff. We developed a simple alert system to promote the referral of HBsAg- or anti-HCV antibody positive patients to hepatology specialists through their electronic medical records. In this exploratory study, we investigated the changes in the number of referrals to hepatologists and in the distribution of patients referred after the introduction of the system, as well as the subsequent clinical courses of the patients following these referrals. Herein, we present our results. Further improvements needed for intra-hospital collaboration are discussed SR-4370 based on our findings. == Methods == == Design == This was a single-center study.