title: Cost savings and increased efficiency using a stratified specimen pooling strategy for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
abstract: Idaho Chlamydia trachomatis-Neisseria gonorrhoeae specimens from July 2009 were pooled by stratified specimen pooling, an approach that removes high-risk specimens from the pooling population and pools low-risk specimens to maximize pooling efficiency. This approach reduced pool positivity rates by 8%, repeated tests by 9%, and saved 47.4% in direct costs.
authors.affiliation: Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Health and Welfare, Boise, ID 83712, USA. lewisj@dhw.idaho.gov
authors.forename: Joanna Lynn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Vivian Marie
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lockary
authors.forename: Sadika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobic
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000191:economics; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017046:Cost Savings; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007061:Idaho / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*