THE MANAGEMENT OF CHLAMYDIAL INFECTION - SETTING STANDARDS AT A REGIONAL LEVEL

Between 1993 and 1997, clinicians from 9 departments of genitourinary medicine (GUM) and one department of sexual health in East Anglia met to audit the process of contact tracing in chlamydial infection. After defining the target group, standards were set for discussion of the d iagnosis with the index patient, appropriate treatment of the conditio n and documented notification of partners. Data were collected for all patients with confirmed chlamydial infection during the periods Janua ry to March 1995 and 1996. Considering the combined data for both year s, overall 97% of patients were informed of the diagnosis and 100% rec eived appropriate treatment. Notification of partners was addressed at the initial consultation in 99% of cases and again at follow-up in 87 %. Where contacts were traceable, there was confirmation that assessme nt had occurred in 65%, and the index cases reported that 66% had unde rgone assessment. The achievements and also the problems associated wi th this audit are discussed.