Dissertation
Implementation of Expedited Partner Therapy for the Treatment of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background In 2022, chlamydia was the most reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States with 1,649,716 cases followed by gonorrhea with 648,056 cases reported (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). In Iowa, during 2023, there were 13,684 cases of chlamydia (Iowa Department of Public Health [IDPH], 2024a) and 3747 cases of gonorrhea (IDPH, 2024b). Black Hawk County had the highest rates per capita of both chlamydia (661 per 100,000 people) and gonorrhea (163 cases per 100,000 people) in the state of Iowa in 2023 (IDPH, 2024a; IDPH, 2024b). If left untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhea may cause pelvic inflammatory disease which increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, and possible infertility (Ghanem, 2022; Hsu, 2022). In males, chlamydia and gonorrhea is the most common cause of epididymitis under the age of 35 (Hsu, 2022). During pregnancy, if untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can have catastrophic consequences (Ghanem, 2022; Hsu, 2022). The CDC has recommended expedited partner therapy (EPT) due to the prevalence of both diseases (CDC, 2021). Purpose The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement expedited partner therapy (EPT) at a federally qualified community health center in a small, midwestern city in an area with high rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Methods The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) was utilized as a framework for this quality improvement project. Smart Sets , Best Practice Alerts developed in electronic health record. Findings Patients were young and diverse. There was limited acceptance of EPT by patients. Discussion EPT is clinically a worthwhile practice if it helps prevent one patient from experiencing sequelae of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Education is needed on EPT to the public and members of the healthcare community. Insurance needs to cover EPT prescriptions. Generating a prescription in electronic health records for EPT needs to be an easier process.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Implementation of Expedited Partner Therapy for the Treatment of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
- Creators
- Sarah Kane - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Ann Weltin (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Sarah Kane
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841527802771
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