title: Completeness and timeliness of treatment for chlamydia within a sexual health service.
abstract: Prompt treatment of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection will reduce the duration of infectiousness and further transmission of infection. In 2002, an audit was conducted to assess the completeness and timeliness of treatment for uncomplicated chlamydial infection at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Australia. Over a nine-month period, chlamydia was diagnosed in 250 patients, 97% of whom received appropriate treatment. The median duration between initial attendance and treatment was two days. Prompt delivery of treatment was facilitated by: initial treatment of patients likely to be chlamydia-infected; rapid availability of test results; urgent communication of positive test results; and effective procedures for recalling untreated patients.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, GPO Box 1614, Sydney, New South Wales 2001, Australia. chenm@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Marcus Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ryder
authors.forename: Basil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Donovan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome