Improving Adherence to Sexually Transmitted Infection Retesting Guidelines at a Sexual Health Clinic.

STI retesting rates increased substantially from the preintervention period through both phases of the intervention period.

• Average STI retesting rate was 31.91% in the preintervention period.
• Retesting rate increased to 46.81% in the initial intervention period.
• Retesting rate further increased to 51.51% in the full intervention period.
• The project goal was to increase retesting rates by 50%, which was exceeded.

The change in STI retesting rates between baseline and intervention groups was statistically significant.

• A test of two proportions was used to evaluate the change.
• Results were statistically significant at a p < .05 level.
• z = -2.41, p = .02, 95% CI [-0.29, -0.03].
• The setting was a nonprofit clinic in Hennepin County, MN, serving clients ages 12 to 26 years.

Nursing staff demonstrated positive attitudes toward the implemented interventions.

• Qualitative data were collected from six registered nurse survey responses.
• All six nurses provide direct nursing care at the clinic.
• Survey responses demonstrated positive attitudes toward the interventions.
• Nurses were described as 'receptive to the changes.'

The quality improvement project utilized two sets of low-cost interventions: reminder-based and education-based.

• Reminder-based interventions included implementing a new STI follow-up protocol with a shift to text message reminders and new electronic health record alerts.
• Education-based interventions included training staff and providing clients with new education materials.
• The intervention period lasted 4 months.
• Interventions were described as not requiring 'excess time or money.'

The clinic had low baseline STI retesting rates prior to the intervention.

• The clinic was identified as having low rates of STI retesting before the project began.
• The baseline average retesting rate was 31.91%.
• The clinic serves clients ages 12 to 26 years in Hennepin County, MN.
• The project was designed as a preintervention and postintervention comparison quality improvement project.