Express testing for sexually transmitted infections: clinical results.

BACKGROUND

Many sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics are becoming unable to meet increases in service demand.

AIMS: To address increased service delivery demand at our STI clinic, we implemented express testing, which involved self-assessment and visitation with a nurse who performed specimen collection but no examination.

METHODS

Patient consent was obtained and chart review occurred.

RESULTS

Of our patients who sought testing, 20% (n = 1427/12,711) were eligible for express testing, with 90.7% (n = 1295/1427) of these patients agreeing to use it. We identified 62 infections (all gonorrhoea and chlamydia) among the 1295 patients who used express. In streamlining care provision, express testing enabled us to see 334 more patients, among whom we identified an additional 27 infections (four patients with infectious syphilis, 23 with gonorrhoea or chlamydia).

CONCLUSION

Our results support the expanded use of express testing.