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Valuable Resources
The Use of Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) to Reduce Sexually Transmitted
Infections in Colorado
INTRODUCTION
In response to the recommendations and barriers related to use of EPT, the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Sexually Transmitted
Infection/HIV Section staff have assembled
information about the use of EPT in Colorado to assist health departments,
public and private healthcare providers and others in exploring the implementation
of EPT as a partner management strategy.
BACKGROUND
Types of partner management strategies for patients diagnosed with a sexually
transmitted infection (STI) include provider referral (in which the health
department or provider notifies a
partner of an STI exposure with or without the assistance of the original
patient) and patient referral (in which the original patient attempts to assure
his/her partner receives appropriate medical
follow-up without assistance from the health department or provider). Expedited
partner therapy may use either or both types of partner management referrals to
provide treatment to partners
exposed to an STI without an examination and without counseling messages.
RECOMMENDATION
In spite of identified and perceived barriers to implementing EPT, expedited
partner therapy is legal in Colorado, and the Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment encourages healthcare providers to address and overcome
these barriers to EPT to reduce the burden of STI in Colorado.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Information:
Kelly O’Keefe Voorhees, MSPH
STI/HIV Section, Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
(303) 692-2658
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