“In the United States, there are an estimated 69,000 new hepatitis C (HCV) cases annually, most of which are linked to injection drug use. Historically, HCV diagnosis has required a two-step process: an antibody test followed by a confirmatory RNA test, with results often taking days or even weeks to return. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cepheid’s Xpert HCV test, the first point-of-care HCV RNA test, marking a major milestone for public health. This advancement allows for same-day diagnosis in under an hour, bridging critical gaps in the HCV testing and care continuum and creating new opportunities for timely linkage to care. Join us on Wednesday, November 19 at 1:00 PM ET for a webinar featuring insights from Public Health – Seattle & King County, one of the first jurisdictions in the country to implement the Xpert HCV test within a syringe services program (SSP). The study’s lead will: • Describe the protocol for conducting HCV point-of-care testing in an SSP setting • Share findings from an implementation study involving 200 people who use drugs tested for HCV • Highlight key facilitators and challenges encountered during implementation • Discuss strategies for pairing HCV point-of-care testing with linkage-to-care efforts This session will offer practical insights for health departments, harm reduction programs, and community partners interested in expanding rapid, low-barrier HCV testing models to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.”