Testing and reporting practices for improved management of hepatitis C.

Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment are providing physicians with new options for managing patients with chronic HCV infection. The potential of these new technologies, however, can only be fully realized in the US if surveillance of new cases is improved; this can be achieved by establishing and implementing comprehensive test reporting requirements and by ensuring that physicians have a good understanding of appropriate test ordering and interpretation. Harmonized reporting standards, combined with physician education, will lead to improved identification of infected individuals and increased timeliness of medical interventions.