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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Emergency departments are missing a critical window to screen pregnant patients for STIs. A Chicago-based study found that fewer than 1 in 7 pregnant ED patients were tested for HIV, and fewer than 1 in 20 were tested for syphilis — despite presenting at just 9 weeks' gestation on average. Researchers say routine EMR-supported screening policies could make a significant difference in early diagnosis and care.
Emergency departments are missing a critical window to screen pregnant patients for STIs. A retrospective study of 470 pregnant individuals presenting to a Chicago urban ED found alarmingly low rates of STI testing — even though many patients were in their first trimester, a prime time for early intervention.
The findings are stark: only about half of patients had any prenatal care plan at their first ED visit, and those without one were significantly more likely to test positive for HIV or an STI. A substantial portion of patients later diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis during pregnancy had not been tested for those infections during their ED visit.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: The ED is often the first — and sometimes only — point of contact with the healthcare system for vulnerable pregnant patients. Implementing routine, EMR-supported STI screening protocols in EDs could catch infections earlier, prevent complications like congenital syphilis, and connect patients to prenatal care before it's too late.
