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.
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.
What, how, and why to talk to your clients about Doxy-PEP.
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 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.
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.
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
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 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
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website, but we also recognize the right to privacy. Please accept or disable cookies for this website.
