The National Network of Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Prevention Training Centers Turns 40-A Look Back, a Look Ahead.

Since 1979, the National Network of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) has provided state-of-the-art clinical and laboratory training for STD prevention across the United States. This article provides an overview of the history and activities of the NNPTC from its inception to present day, and emphasizes the important role the network continues to play in maintaining a high-quality STD clinical workforce. Over time, the NNPTC has responded to changing STD epidemiological patterns, technological advances, and increasing private-sector care-seeking for STDs. Its current structure of integrated regional and national training centers allows NNPTC members to provide dynamic, tailored responses to STD training needs across the country.

Approach to Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing for Men at an Urban Urgent Care Center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates have increased among men. Urgent care centers are increasingly common sites for medical care. The objectives of this study are to describe practices surrounding STI testing at an urban urgent care center. METHODS: Electronic medical record data were analyzed for men ages 20 to 55 years seen at the urgent care center of a large urban hospital from June 7, 2011, to April 30, 2015 (n = 10,983). A subset of charts was reviewed to assess sexual history documentation (n = 906). Chief complaints relevant to STIs were defined as genitourinary or sexual complaints. Odds ratios and χ analyses were used to assess association between STI testing, chief complaint, and sexual history. RESULTS: Of the 10,983 visits, 10% (n = 1118) had a complaint relevant to STIs, and 5% (n = 505) had STI testing ordered. Of these tests, 4% were positive for syphilis (n = 11), 13% for chlamydia (n = 29), 6% for gonorrhea (n = 13), and 0.5% for human immunodeficiency virus (n = 1). Sexually transmitted infection testing was more likely to be ordered for STI-relevant chief complaints than unrelated complaints (odds ratio, 16.2, P < 0.01). Sexual history was documented for 8% of visits (n = 72) and was associated with STI testing (P <0.01). DISCUSSION: Sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed in men seen at urgent care centers more often when clients present with relevant symptoms. However, given the low rates of sexual history taking and the asymptomatic nature of most STIs, concern is raised about missing opportunities to identify, treat, and lower community burden of disease. Urgent care visits may represent opportunities for increased testing and treatment of STIs.

Health care-associated infection outbreaks in pediatric long-term care facilities.

Children in pediatric long-term care facilities (pLTCFs) have complex medical conditions and increased risk for health care-associated infections (HAIs). We performed a retrospective study from January 2010-December 2013 at 3 pLTCFs to describe HAI outbreaks and associated infection control interventions. There were 62 outbreaks involving 700 cases in residents and 250 cases in staff. The most common interventions were isolation precautions and education and in-services. Further research should examine interventions to limit transmission of infections in pLTCFs.