Improved management in the diagnosis of gonorrhoea in women

In this paper an evaluation is made of the endeavours to improve diagnosis in women named as contacts of gonorrhoea. The problem was approached in three ways. (a) The number of sites sampled was increased. (b) The results of microscopical examination of smears made by clinical staff were regularly evaluated. (c) Cultural examinations by the supporting laboratory were dealt with more efficiently and speedily. It is concluded that the number of tests currently used to establish or exclude a diagnosis of gonorrhoea in women can safely be reduced to two, and that the methods currently in use allow a more cost-effective management of an increasing case load.