Laboratory Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Disease LA County Dept. of Health Services Sexually Transmitted Disease Program Laboratory Surveillance Unit Chandra Higgins, MPH
Reportable STDs in LA County Reporting requirements Dual reporting system Forms
Legal STD Reporting Requirements in California Laboratory Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhea Health Provider Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhea Chancroid PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) NGU (Non-Gonococcal Urethritis)
Reporting Responsibilities Laboratory All positives Report within one working day of identification Health Provider Known or suspect Report syphilis within one working day of identification. All others within 7 calendar days.
Reporting Responsibilities Laboratory Patient name & limited demographics Provider name, address, phone Specimen accession, dates, test type & results Health Provider Patient name & full demographics Diagnosis, date of diagnosis & onset Name, address, & phone of reporter
Medical Provider’s STD Reporting Form (p.1)
Medical Provider’s STD Reporting Form (p.1, continued)
Medical Provider’s STD Reporting Form (p.2)
Medical Provider’s STD Reporting Form (p.2, continued)
Provider Only ESy 0.3% CT 3.5% GC 4.8% Both ESy 51% CT 70% GC 66% Laboratory Only ESy 49% CT 27% GC 29% Reports to LA County STD Program Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis 2004
Reporting Issues Improved enforcement of reporting laws State investigations; non-compliance can result in loss of lab license Identification of non-reporters is difficult Dual reporting requirement facilitates identification Annual laboratory survey identifies laboratories with deficient reporting practices
Reporting Issues (continued) Heaviest burden on laboratories Often sole reporting source Rely on providers for patient information Referring laboratories withhold patient / provider information from testing facilities Increased interstate testing has accompanied growth of managed care & core laboratories Reporting requirements vary by state
Annual Laboratory Survey Monitor compliance with reporting guidelines Monitor trends in test utilization & laboratory practice Provide information on STD testing trends and recommendations Inform laboratories about STD Program function
2004 STD Testing Laboratories N=163
Test Volume by Lab-Type 2004 Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
L.A. County STD Testing 1995 – 2004
N=1,629,500 Syphilis Testing, 2004
Growth In Amplified Tests Chlamydia,
Amplified Methods 2003 & 2004 Chlamydia Tests
Growth in Amplified Testing Gonorrhea,
L.A. County STD Testing All 2004 Testing