EVALUATING THE TREATMENT OF SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES AT AN URBANPUBLIC HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT-CLINIC

Sexually transmitted diseases occur disproportionately among the poor, are often treated in public hospitals and clinics, and have not been subjected to quality-of-care evaluation. We designed a medical record abstraction system using well-established, specific process-of-care cr iteria drawn from the medical literature and experts and grouped into three levels of quality: excellent, adequate, and minimal. One hundred seventy-six consecutive patients were identified from the clinic logb ook and their medical records abstracted. Deficiencies in history taki ng, physical examination, laboratory testing, treatment, and public he alth reporting were identified.