Quality-Improvement Initiative for Expedited Partner Therapy Provision in an Obstetrics and Gynecology Office

Abstract

A quality-improvement intervention including clinician education and workflow changes increases appropriate provision of expedited partner therapy.

Expedited partner therapy: A multi-component initiative to boost provider counseling

“…8 Prior work aiming to increase EPT counseling has included hard-stops for EPT documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR), adding EPT to state-based STI reporting forms, eliminating the costs of EPT in clinics, and implementing EPT educational modules for providers. [9][10][11][12] No studies to date have evaluated the role of comprehensive EMR smart tools, known as computerized clinical decision support systems (CDSSs), in EPT counseling. 13,14 A systematic review of CDSSs demonstrated a 66% improvement in provider drug prescribing and a 62% improvement in disease management, 13 yet studies implementing CDSSs (e.g., EMR smart notes, phrases, and order sets) are limited in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN).…”

“…Within the United States, only 10% to 14% of primary care providers usually or always offer EPT in their practice 8 . Prior work aiming to increase EPT counseling has included hard-stops for EPT documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR), adding EPT to state-based STI reporting forms, eliminating the costs of EPT in clinics, and implementing EPT educational modules for providers 9–12 . No studies to date have evaluated the role of comprehensive EMR smart tools, known as computerized clinical decision support systems (CDSSs), in EPT counseling 13,14 .…”