Express testing for sexually transmitted infections: clinical results

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics face increasing demand for services.
• Capacity limitations hinder the ability of clinics to meet patient needs effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and impact of an express testing model in an STI clinic.
• To assess the efficiency and diagnostic yield of express testing for STI detection.

Main Methods:

• Implemented an express testing protocol involving patient self-assessment and nurse-led specimen collection without physical examination.
• Conducted a retrospective chart review of patients utilizing the express testing service.
• Obtained patient consent for data analysis.

Main Results:

• 20% of patients were eligible for express testing, with over 90% opting to use the service.
• 62 infections (gonorrhoea and chlamydia) were identified among express testing users.
• Express testing facilitated seeing 334 additional patients, leading to the detection of 27 more infections, including syphilis.

Conclusions:

• Express testing is a viable strategy for increasing patient throughput in STI clinics.
• The express testing model effectively identifies infections while managing increased service demand.
• Expanded use of express testing is supported by these findings for improving STI screening and care.