How to Prescribe Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is the clinical practice of treating sex partners of patients diagnosed with certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – including chlamydia (CT), gonorrhea (GC), and trichomoniasis – without the health care provider first examining the partner(s). EPT usually involves patient delivered partner therapy (PDPT), in which the patient delivers the medication or a prescription to their partner(s). While evaluating the partner and providing other needed health services would be ideal, this is often not feasible. EPT can be provided confidentially; it is effective, safe, acceptable to patients and partners, and helps to ensure timely partner treatment.

This resource contains information on how to prescribe EPT in California, including sample prescriptions, information on billing/reimbursement, and patient-facing materials.

For more information on EPT and why it should be prescribed, see “Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Resource for California Health Care Providers – What is EPT and Why Should I Prescribe It?”

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Examination and Interpretation of Wet Preparations of Vaginal Specimens

In-person laboratory course onsite at the UC San Francisco campus
Intended for practicing clinicians with prior wet mount experience and microscopy skills
Capacity limited to 8 persons

The course begins with a fifteen minute didactic presentation on applicable issues of CLIA regulation, quality control, and interpretation vaginal wet mount (VWM) for common causes of vaginitis. This will be followed by a fifteen minute video that details through the microscope footage of findings on VWM including trichomads, yeast and clue cells associated with BV. The remaining two and one-half hours consists of experiential training, including laboratory practicum on examination of saline and KOH vaginal wet mounts (VWM). During this portion of the training, participants will have an opportunity for group discussion, explanation, and demonstration, as well as practice and return demonstration.

Learning Objectives

Practice proper preparation of saline and KOH specimens of vaginal fluid to increase viability of specimens for microscopic evaluation.
Perform proper use of the light microscope to improve examination of saline and KOH wet mount specimens.
Assess wet mount microscopy specimens to appropriately interpret findings that support diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniaisis.

STI Clinical Update Webinar: California Mpox Update for Healthcare Providers – October 2023

Thursday, October 26, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (PDT)

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to see statewide Mpox activity, including a large cluster in Los Angeles County. This webinar, presented by the California Prevention Training Center (CAPTC), features CDPH’s Mpox Clinical and Epidemiology teams, who will provide a clinical update and epidemiological overview of Mpox, and discuss new research findings relevant to primary care and other healthcare providers, including data on transmission, vaccine equity, and vaccine effectiveness. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Presented by:

Kayla Saadeh, MPH
Mpox Epidemiology Unit Lead
California Department of Public Health

Jessica Watson, MD, MPH
Mpox Public Health Medical Officer and Acting Clinical Lead
California Department of Public Health

Learning Objectives

Identify the clinical and epidemiological factors leading to Mpox infection, transmission, and severity as well as treatment options.
Apply the latest information and research on Mpox, including transmission characteristics, vaccine equity, and vaccine effectiveness, to your clinical practice to ensure patients are appropriately vaccinated, diagnosed, tested, and treated for Mpox.

Please note: CME not available for viewing the webinar recording.

Let’s Talk About Doxy-PEP

What, how, and why to talk to your clients about Doxy-PEP.

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STI Clinical Update Webinar: #EverythingChlamydia

Monday, July 31, 2023 from 12:00PM-1:15PM (PDT)

Presented by Drs. Kurtis Mohr and Rosalyn Plotzker

Registration for CME purposes closes three days before the webinar. After that time, you will be able to join the webinar, but you will not be able to get CME.

Chlamydia is an STI that can manage to damage our body in oh so many places. Watch this webinar to learn Everything about this “cloaked” assailant: from stats & numbers, to pathophys’, fevers, chills, and burning whiz! Plus screening, treatment & prevention, of course!

Learning Objectives

Recognize the different sequelae of sexually transmitted C. trachomatis and their recommended treatments
Know the recommended screening strategies C. trachomatis

Meet our Experts

Kurtis Mohr, MD, AAHIVM
Dr. Mohr is a Family Medicine trained physician and recent 2022 graduate from Kaiser Permanente’s HIV Fellowship Program. He joined the California Department of Public Health in November 2022 as a Public Health Medical Officer in the STD Control Branch. His work focuses on preventative measures such as DoxyPEP and Hepatitis B & C screening outreach, along with Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI) investigations.

Rosalyn Plotzker, MD, MPH
Dr. Plotzker is an Assistant Professor in the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She completed a Fellowship in Sexually Transmitted Diseases with the CAPTC and CDPH. She serves as a Public Health Medical Officer in the STD Control Branch at CDPH.

STI Clinical Program Update: Mpox letter and Bicillin shortage

STI Clinical Program Updates: Mpox letter and Bicillin shortage

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) STD Control Branch has released two new important communications on: (1) Preventing a Resurgence of Mpox Cases in California and (2) Addressing an ongoing Bicillin® L-A shortage.

(1) Dear Colleague Letter: Preventing a Resurgence of Mpox Cases in California

CDPH is aware that – while the rate of California (CA) mpox cases has declined precipitously since its peak in August 2022 – mpox transmission has continued in CA, and other states have recently reported a resurgence of mpox cases. Accordingly, CDPH has released a new Dear Colleague Letter intended as a call to action to Californian health care providers to remain vigilant in mpox prevention, recognition, and testing. This is especially important during the upcoming 2023 spring and summer season as people gather for festivals and events, including LGBTQ Pride Month in June. Information on how to diagnose, test for, and vaccinate against mpox is included.

(2) Health Advisory: Bicillin® L-A (Benzathine Penicillin G) Shortage

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced a shortage of long-acting penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension products (Bicillin® L-A), with an estimated recovery timeframe not until Q4 of 2023. This is of considerable concern in CA, as the state continues to see significant increases in syphilis — including syphilis in pregnant persons and congenital syphilis in infants. CDPH has thus issued a Health Advisory addressing the Bicillin® L-A shortage, providing a framework for prioritization of limited Bicillin® L-A supplies when necessary, and recommending doxycycline as an alternative to Bicillin® L-A in appropriate clinical scenarios.

Sincerely,

California Prevention Training Center

STI Expert Hour Webinar: Results of the ANCHOR study and their implications for anal cancer prevention guidelines

June 27, 2023 from 11:30AM-12:45PM (PDT)

Presented by Drs. Cristina Brickman and Joel Palefsky

This webinar will summarize the epidemiology of anal cancer, the results of the ANCHOR Study and development of guidelines for prevention of anal cancer in people living with HIV.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the groups at highest risk of anal cancer
Explain the main findings of the ANCHOR Study
Explain current approaches to prevention of anal cancer

Please note: No CME available for viewing the webinar recording

Preventing Occupational Mpox Transmission in Outpatient Clinics

This resource includes practical tips for preventing mpox transmission in an outpatient setting, as implemented by many sexual health clinics during the current mpox outbreak. When space and resources are scarce or limited, implementing these real-world strategies allows clinics to care for patients with mpox as safely and effectively as possible.

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STI Expert Hour Webinar on Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Promise, Opportunities, and Considerations for Implementation

Friday, April 28, 2023, 12:45PM-2:00PM (PDT)
Learn about doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP), the newest innovation in the world of biomedical approaches to preventing sexually transmitted infections.Presentation by Stephanie Cohen, MD, MPH, Medical Director, San Francisco City Clinic & Director, STI Prevention and Control Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health
1.25 CME units at no cost.

Learning Objectives

Summarize data from recent studies exploring the use of doxyPEP to prevent bacterial STIs
Explore potential implications of and strategies for doxyPEP implementation in clinical settings

Please note: CME units not available for viewing the recording of the webinar

Home Training Examination and Interpretation of Wet Preparations of Vaginal Specimens

Examination and Interpretation of Wet Preparations of Vaginal Specimens

Intended for Practicing Clinicians with Prior Wet Mount Experience

Learning Objectives

Practice proper preparation of saline and KOH specimens of vaginal fluid to increase viability of specimens for microscopic evaluation.
Perform proper use of the light microscope to improve examination of saline and KOH wet mount specimens.
Assess wet mount microscopy specimens to appropriately interpret findings that support diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis

March 30, 2023 from 2:00PM – 5:00PM (PDT)
UCSF Parnassus Heights Campus: San Francisco, CA
Instructors: Sharon Adler, MD, MPH and Lee Fagen, NP