CLIA-Waived Syphilis Point-of-Care Testing Options for Providers

This clinical resource outlines the CLIA-waived point-of-care testing options available for syphilis, including the Syphilis Health Check and the DPP HIV-Syphilis System. The document summarizes and compares the two CLIA-waived point-of-care tests, then answers frequently asked questions – including who can perform these tests, in what settings they may be most useful, and how to follow-up reactive point-of-care test results.

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NNPTC Syphilis Series: Congenital Syphilis & Syphilis in Pregnancy

February 26thth, 10:00 AM PST/1:00 PM EST

In the last installation of NNPTC’s 3 part Syphilis Series, learn from experts Dr. Jason Zucker of the New York City STI PTC & Dr. Erica Hardy of the Sylvie Ratelle STI/HIV PTC.

Case Based Discussions on Congenital Syphilis & Syphilis in Pregnancy

Learning Objectives

Describe the importance of interprofessional collaboration in sexual health care.
Describe current STD/HIV screening strategies including diagnostic algorithms.
Describe current STD/HIV treatment recommendations.

NNPTC Syphilis Series: Syphilis 201

February 19th, 10:00 AM PST/1:00 PM EST

In the second installation of NNPTC’s three part Syphilis Series, learn from our NNPTC experts, Dr. Khalil Ghanem of the PTC at Johns Hopkins & Dr. Arlene Sena of the Southeast PTC.

Case based discussions of clinical conundrums
Experts walk through cases & make treatment decisions

Learning Objectives

Describe the importance of interprofessional collaboration in sexual health care.
Describe current STD/HIV screening strategies including diagnostic algorithms.
Describe current STD/HIV treatment recommendations.

STI Expert Hour Webinar: Shared Decision Making in Sexual Health

Tuesday, February 25, 2025
11:30AM-12:45PM (PST)
1.25 CME units at no cost

Recording currently unavailable. Please note: No CME available for viewing the webinar recording.

Presenter
Patty Cason, MS, FNP-BC
President, Envision Sexual and Reproductive Health

Course Description
A plethora of national guidelines recommend shared decision making as a person-centered way to engage with patients who are making decisions about their health. The goal is for patients to benefit from the provider’s contribution of scientific information while being acknowledged as the experts on themselves. This session will provide a specific, detailed approach to this and language suggestions to operationalize shared decision-making conversations.

Learning Objectives

Define shared decision making
Describe three contributions a provider makes during a shared decision-making conversation
List four ways to acknowledge a patient

Opt-out screening is an approach where all patients are informed that HIV/STIs screening will be performed as part of routine medical care, unless the patient specifically declines. Included in the job aid are resources from various sources (including the CDC and CDPH), a workflow for a typical office visit, and guidelines for best practices.

Recent research has shown that opt-out guidelines increase screening rates and subsequent treatment for HIV and STIs (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis). This method reduces stigma, improves health equity, and opens the door for more comprehensive care.

Opt-Out Screening for STIs and HIV

STI Intensive

January 30, 2025

Please join us for a morning half-day STI Intensive offered in-person and virtually at no cost at the University of California, San Francisco at the ZSFG campus. There will also be an in-person (only) afternoon wet-mount at the UCSF Parnassus campus available to a limited number of the morning-training participants at no cost. This event will cover topics including STI epidemiology, syphilis, mycoplasma genitalium, HPV, and biomedical STI prevention. Speakers will include faculty from CAPTC (UCSF), the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Public Health.

½ Day Didactic: Morning – Early Afternoon

Hybrid event being offered in-person at UCSF Pride Hall & Virtually by Zoom
Onsite breakfast and refreshments provided
CME will be offered at no cost
Topics will cover STI trends (national and California); biomedical STI prevention; syphilis cases; updates in STI management, with a focus on syphilis, mycoplasma genitalium and HPV.
Recording currently unavailable.

Wet Mount: Mid Afternoon-Evening

Previous microscopy skills are required to take this course. Registration prioritized for STI Intensive didactic attendees. Space limited to 12 max capacity.

In-person only training being offered at UCSF Parnassus Heights
3-hour laboratory course
CME will be offered at no cost
Topics will cover CLIA regulation, quality control, and interpretation vaginal wet mount (VWM) for common causes of vaginitis. Microscope footage of findings on VWM including trichomonads, yeast and clue cells associated with BV. Experiential training, including laboratory practicum on examination of saline and KOH vaginal wet mounts (VWM). Participants will have an opportunity for group discussion, explanation, and demonstration, as well as practice and return demonstration.

STI Clinical Update Webinar – Syphilis in Pregnancy

November 20, 2024
12:00PM-1:15PM (PST)
1.25 CME units at no cost

Presenters

Kathleen Jacobson, MD
Chief, STD Control Branch, California Department of Public Health

Wyatt Hanft, MD, MPH
STI Fellow, STD Control Branch, California Department of Public Health & California Prevention Training Center at UCSF

Course Description

Drs. Kathleen Jacobson and Wyatt Hanft will provide a 1-hour virtual training focused on syphilis clinical presentation, screening/testing, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for pregnant patients. The presenters will use a case-based format to help attendees apply the learned material to a real-life scenario.

Learning Objectives

Review the epidemiology of syphilis and congenital syphilis (CS) in California
Apply the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) screening recommendations during pregnancy
Compare traditional and reverse screening algorithms for syphilis
Describe syphilis diagnosis, treatment and follow up during pregnancy

Calculating Interview Periods

A foundational step in any STI interview is determining the interview period. This timeframe is crucial for identifying sexual partners who may require testing and treatment. The DI Professional will calculate this period before the interview begins. The interview period represents the maximum possible duration during which the person could have contracted or transmitted the infection.

Module Objective:

To equip DI Professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately calculate interview periods for persons diagnosed with STIs/HIV.

In this e-learning module learners will:

Define interview period and its importance in working with people who are diagnosed with an STI/HIV.
Discuss factors affecting interview period length (e.g., STI type, symptoms, risk behaviors).
Calculate Interview Periods for Specific STIs using different patient profiles and STI/HIV diagnoses(Primary, Secondary, and Early Latent syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, PID, and HIV).

STI Clinical Update-Sacramento and Yolo Counties: Congenital Symposium

In-person only event

Monday, October 28, 2024
9:00AM-3:30PM (PDT)
Sacramento, CA
5.00 CME units at no cost

Please note: This is an in-person only event onsite in Sacramento, CA. Registration is limited to local DIS and clinicians in the Sacramento and Yolo counties region. Registration closes on October 25^th at 3:00PM (PDT).

Questions: Please email Clinical Program Manager, Elizabeth Olson, elizabeth.olson@ucsf.edu.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

Recognize common manifestations of primary and secondary syphilis, compare traditional and reverse screening algorithms, and determine appropriate syphilis staging, treatment, and follow-up.
Implement CDC recommendations for CS testing and treatment based on infant and birthing parent labs and exam at the time of delivery, and apply current CDPH syphilis screening guidelines to pregnant people in California.
Cite evidence supporting doxy-PEP use, understand CDPH recommendations for doxy-PEP prescribing, and counsel patients on potential risks/benefits and follow-up for this biomedical prevention method.
Cite local trend data illustrating increased rates of Congenital Syphilis and syphilis among women, as a rationale for enhanced clinical screening for STIs for people who may become pregnant and during pregnancy.
Identify at least two local approaches to congenital syphilis prevention, including how to obtain wrap-around services for pregnant people with syphilis, and resources provided via partnerships with local surveillance programs.

Presenters
Dr. Wyatt Hanft
STI Fellow, California Prevention Training Center & California Department of Public Health, STD Control Branch

Dr. Kurtis Mohr
Public Health Medical Officer, California Department of Public Health, STD Control Branch

Prenatal Syphilis Screening, Staging, and Management for Congenital Syphilis Prevention

This pocket guide summarizes all the essentials of prenatal syphilis screening, staging, and management with the goal of preventing congenital syphilis.

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