Scientific Poster Session IV - Clinical Pharmacy Forum

Clinical Pharmacy Forum
  Tuesday, November 14, 2023
  08:30 AM–10:00 AM

Abstract

Service or Program:

Chlamydia and gonorrhea (C&G) infections are often asymptomatic and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women. The CDC recommends annual C&G screening for all sexually active women under the age of 25. Blackhawk County (Iowa) has one of the highest chlamydia rates in lowa at 840 per 100,000 people in 2021. A baseline audit (2018-2021) of screening for C&G in our family medicine clinic among sexually active females ages 14-25 showed a screening rate of 33.7% (127/377).

A multidisciplinary quality improvement (QI) project was enacted on October 1, 2022, with the goal of increasing clinic screening for asymptomatic C&G to 65%. Key project features included: a new opt-out screening policy, physician educational sessions, monthly chart review by the pharmacist with email communication to physicians detailing current screening adherence. A monthly EHR report was created to identify all clinic females age 14-25 years presenting for an annual wellness visit. Patients were counted as screened if they were tested for C&G at the annual wellness visit or if screened within the past year. Screening rates for C&G were prospectively evaluated for six months following project implementation. A brief follow-up survey about project effectiveness was given to clinic physicians (N=12).

Justification/Documentation:

During the 6-month evaluation period the screening rate of C&G improved from 33.7% to 78.1% (N=25/32; P<0.001). The most common reason for patients not being screened was patient refusal (N= 3/7). Ninety-two percent of physicians found the monthly communication about screening adherence helpful and 100% of physicians agreed that the new policy improved screening.

Adaptability:

This QI project which included creation of a screening policy, improved education, and monthly clinician feedback about screening performance has broad adaptability to primary care clinics.

Significance:

This 6-month QI project was associated with a significant improvement in clinic screening rates for asymptomatic C&G.

Presenting Author

Jacob Johnson PharmD
MercyOne Waterloo

Authors

Sriya Kalala N/A
MercyOne Waterloo

Jim Hoehns PharmD
Taylor Hoehns N/A
MercyOne Waterloo

Daniel Oswald DO
MercyOne Waterloo

Asar Das MD
MercyOne Waterloo