Using a national guideline: an audit of the management of gonorrhoea in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The management of cases of gonorrhoea in the Genitourinary Medicine Department (GUM) of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1999 was audited. The sensitivity of microscopy in diagnosis was 90.4% for male urethral gonorrhoea and 26.6% for female genital gonorrhoea. The sensitivity of laboratory culture was 98.5%. Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis co-infection or treating for presumed co-infection was done in 98% of cases of gonorrhoea and the rates of co-infection were 36.4% in women and 8% in men. Effective first-line therapy was given to 95.4% of cases of genital gonorrhoea. Re-attendance for tests of cure within one month of treatment was achieved in 68.2%. Discussion of partner notification was documented in 94.3% of cases of genital gonorrhoea. In 65% of cases of gonorrhoea, there was documented attendance of sexual partners. The value of a national guideline with auditable targets is discussed.