Improving Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Results Notification and Partner Services
Improving Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Results Notification and Partner Services
The primary goal of this project is to improve the process for contacting patients that test positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the emergency department by using text messaging. We believe patients that are contacted by both a phone call and a text message will be reached more often and they will be reached sooner than those that only receive a phone call or only a text message. In addition, patients will be given reminder cards at the time of testing to remind them that they will be contacted within 7 days if they test positive. Half of the reminder cards will have a number to call for test results. We believe patients that receive a card with a number are more likely to be contacted within 7 days.
Aim 1: To improve the results notification system among all female adolescents who test positive for STIs in the ED using mobile phone texting technology.
Hypothesis 1: We will increase our contact rate for STI positive adolescents in the ED from 65-82%.
Hypothesis 2: We will decrease the time interval between testing and appropriate STI treatment by the ED.
Hypothesis 3: We will decrease the recidivism rates for STI positive patients diagnosed in the ED.
Aim 2: To explore qualitatively the barriers to and preferences for partner notification and treatment among 14-21 year-old females and males being tested for STIs in the ED.
Aim 3: To determine baseline rates of partner notification and preferences around partner notification among STI-positive females in the ED, and to explore the feasibility of ED personnel notifying their sexual partners.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: