Evaluating a web-based test results system at an urban STI clinic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Online patient portals can enhance clinic efficiency and patient access to test results.
• This study assessed an online results system in an urban sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an online results system on gonorrhea and chlamydia test result delivery and clinic workflow.
• To understand patient acceptance and reasons for using or declining the online system.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of electronic medical records for 9056 new patient visits (December 2007-April 2009).
• Comparison of three periods: pre-implementation, opt-in online system, and assigned access online system.
• Patient survey to determine reasons for accepting or declining online results.

Main Results:

• The proportion of patients receiving results (online or phone) remained similar across periods (67%-70%).
• Patient calls to the clinic for results significantly decreased from 67% to 36% with the online system.
• Patients valued the convenience of checking results online; barriers included lack of internet access or preference for phone communication.

Conclusions:

• The online results system effectively reduced patient phone inquiries regarding STI test results.
• The system did not significantly alter the overall proportion of patients receiving their gonorrhea and chlamydia test results.