Sexually Transmitted Diseases  >  Program Guidelines  >  Partner Services

Program Operations Guidelines for STD Prevention
Partner Services

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Sections on this page:

• SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Collaborating With Other Service Providers
• Interstate Transmission of STD Intervention Information
• Suggested Strategies for Patients With Repeat Infections

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Collaborating with other service providers

Programs should implement protocols for the following circumstances:

• The diagnosis of the index patient is performed by non-health department agencies and the patient is referred to the health department for partner services;
• The elicitation of partners is performed by non-health department agencies and such information is provided to the health department for partner notification.

STD prevention programs should actively inform providers about partner services (for example, through DIS distributing pamphlets to key providers) and initiate collaborations with providers outside of the health department.

Interstate Transmission of STD Intervention Information

The Interstate Transmission of STD Intervention Information is the system that oversees the transmission of STD intervention information between STD prevention programs. Success depends upon the willingness of program managers to take the steps necessary to assure its provisions are observed and to hold one another accountable when deviations occur. STD prevention programs should review existing protocols and procedures to ensure they are specific on how to handle incoming and outgoing intervention requests. In reviewing or developing these protocols and procedures, programs should consider the principles outlined in Appendix G to ensure consistency on a national level for interstate and intrastate transmission of information. Disease prevention will be facilitated by inter-jurisdictional sharing of information on patients, partners, suspects, and associates in a secure and confidential manner.

Suggested Strategies for Patients With Repeat Infections

Persons repeatedly infected and treated are often referred to as recalcitrant patients or "repeaters." Management of such patients should include HIV prevention counseling and testing (and possibly HIV prevention case management), since they are at high risk for acquiring HIV. Although such patients are a challenge for any STD prevention program, they are an important source of information regarding other at-risk individuals and locations within the community where they gather and interact. This information can be used to develop specific outreach screening activities targeting these areas that include carefully crafted and intensive behavioral interventions.

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