New screening initiative triples chlamydia and gonorrhea testing among adolescents

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20261105/New-screening-initiative-triples-chlamydia-and-gonorrhea-testing-among-adolescents.aspx Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that a systematic, electronic health record-enabled quality improvement initiative was associated with a large increase in chlamydia and gonorrhea screening among adolescents and led to the detection of more infections. The findings, published today in the journal Pediatrics, suggest a feasible approach to building screening into routine well visits. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Most infections cause no symptoms, and they are often undetected without screening. Infection rates for both are higher in adolescents and young adults than in other age groups, and people ages 15 to 24 account for about half of new STIs in the United States. Early detection and treatment can prevent complications and further spread.