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Time to treatment for women with chlamydial or gonococcal infections: A
comparative evaluation of sexually transmitted disease clinics in 3 U.S.
cities.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2005;32(3):194-198.
Wong D, Berman SM, Furness BW, Gunn RA, Taylor M, Peterman TA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many women with positive screening tests for chlamydia or gonorrhea
are not promptly treated and are at risk for complications and further disease
transmission. Improved methods for notifying infected patients might increase
timely treatment in this population. GOAL: Describe notification procedures
at STD clinics in Washington, DC; Los Angeles; and San Diego and compare
timeliness of treatment during 2000 to 2002. STUDY: Interviews were conducted
to determine methods for notifying infected patients. Data were abstracted
from 327 medical records of women with chlamydia or gonorrhea who had not
been treated presumptively. The interval between specimen collection and
treatment ("time to treatment") was calculated. RESULTS: Each clinic
had different procedures for notifying untreated infected women. Among those
treated, the median time to treatment was 18 days in Washington, DC, and
8 days in Los Angeles. In San Diego, the median time to treatment was initially
14 days, which improved to 7 days after patient-notification procedures were
changed. CONCLUSION: Simple changes in patient notification procedures can
decrease time to treatment at STD clinics. STD programs should evaluate time
to treatment and institute methods for efficient patient follow-up.