TRANSLATING CHLAMYDIA SCREENING GUIDELINES INTO PRACTICE

Center For Health Studies, Seattle WA

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Abstract

Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women, often asymptomatic, have serious consequences if left untreated. However, studies from Group Health Cooperative (GHC) have shown the impact can be decreased (i.e., a 56 percent decrease in PID) if at-risk women receive screening and treatment. Over the last two years, GHC has developed an evidence-based chlamydia screening guideline to initiate translation of the evidence into practice. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of several multifaceted strategies for guideline implementation. Site: Thirty staff model outpatient clinics at GHC. Methods: This is a randomized trial of guideline implementation strategies carried out at the provider and patient levels. Using a 2x2 factorial design, we will compare standard guideline implementation to three other strategies: one with only provider-specific components, one with only patient-specific components and one with both provider- and patient-specific components. Provider- specific strategies (with randomization occurring at the clinic level) include the use of opinion leaders, measurement and feedback, and prompts placed in Pap test kits. The patient- specific strategy (with randomization of individual enrollees) consists of a prompt placed in the chart of 14-20 year-old females as a paper-based test to establish the case for a future computerized automated prompt system. Outcomes: Outcomes will be measured at baseline and post-implementation. The primary outcome is the rate of appropriate chlamydia screening among 14- 25 year-old females. Other primary outcomes are 1) the rate of chlamydia screening as defined by a new HEDIS measure; 2) changes in provider knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, self-efficacy, practices, and perceived barriers and supports; 3) the cost per woman appropriately screened and the marginal cost-effectiveness of each intervention arm. Secondary outcomes include changes in the rates of positive chlamydia tests, PID and ectopic pregnancy. Major study benefits: To our knowledge this will be the first study to evaluate conceptually-based guideline implementation strategies in a defined HMO clinical population. In order to further enhance generalizability, we will test selected implementation strategies in a network-model managed care setting.