Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
14:43
Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish
Published on: July 18, 2020
Targeted versus Universally Offered Screening in Pediatric Emergency Departments: Cost-Effectiveness
Mark H Eckman1, Monika K Goyal2, T Charles Casper3
1Division of General Internal Medicine and the Center for Clinical Effectiveness, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
MDM Policy & Practice
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Targeted screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescents is highly cost-effective in emergency departments (EDs). This strategy successfully detects and treats more STIs compared to usual care or universal screening, particularly for females.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Adolescents and young adults (AYA) account for 50% of annual sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Emergency departments (EDs) are frequent healthcare access points for AYA.
- EDs present a strategic opportunity for STI diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of different screening strategies for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea (CT/GC).
- To evaluate screening approaches for adolescents and young adults in pediatric ED settings.
Main Methods:
- A decision analytic cost-effectiveness model was developed.
- The model compared three strategies: usual care, targeted screening (computerized survey), and universally offered screening.
- Analysis included costs in 2024 US dollars and effectiveness (STIs detected/treated, QALYs).
Main Results:
- Targeted screening was the most effective and costliest strategy, with an ICER of $517 per case detected and treated.
- In QALY analysis, targeted screening had an ICER of $23,320/QALY.
- Usual care was dominated (more costly, less effective) by universally offered screening; targeted screening was highly cost-effective for females but not males in QALY analysis.
Conclusions:
- Targeted screening is a highly cost-effective method for identifying and treating STIs in adolescents within pediatric EDs.
- The cost-effectiveness varies between sexes when quality of life (QALYs) is considered, particularly for males.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...