Coded Text Messages for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Results
An Effective Practice
Description
In an effort to reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases or infections (STDs/STIs), the Clay County Health Department is offering coded text messages for test results. The hope is that by offering text messages, clients will receive treatment faster from the time of diagnosis, when compared to receiving results by telephone call.
Clients tested for STDs/STIs may choose to receive their results via secure text message. The client provides the cell phone number and cell provider, confirming that their cell phone is able to receive text messages. An authorization form must be signed in order to receive the text message.
Clients tested for STDs/STIs may choose to receive their results via secure text message. The client provides the cell phone number and cell provider, confirming that their cell phone is able to receive text messages. An authorization form must be signed in order to receive the text message.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the program is to reduce the spread of STDs/STIs in high risk populations under 25 years old by decreasing the length of time from diagnosis to treatment.
Results / Accomplishments
Clinic staff noticed that the text message results program decreased the amount of time and costs to contact a client with a positive STD/STI. It takes staff less than 5 minutes to send a text message of test results. Once the client receives the text message, the time it takes for the client to call the clinic back was reduced from several hours to 1.5 hours. Once the client was notified of positive test results, the average time until client received treatment was 4 hours. This is a marked decrease from 3-4 days before the text message program.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Clay County Health Department
Primary Contact
Connie Wolfe
Clay County Health Department
1305 Idlewild Ave
P.O. Box 578
Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043
904-529-2852
Connie_Wolfe@doh.state.fl.us
http://www.HealthyClayCounty.org
Clay County Health Department
1305 Idlewild Ave
P.O. Box 578
Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043
904-529-2852
Connie_Wolfe@doh.state.fl.us
http://www.HealthyClayCounty.org
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Medications & Prescriptions
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Medications & Prescriptions
Organization(s)
Clay County Health Department
Date of implementation
2010
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Clay, FL
Target Audience
Teens, Adults
Submitted By
Clay County Health Department