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A study has shown that using electronic records can significantly reduce the time it takes someone who has had a positive chlamydia test to get treatment for the infection.
Researchers have discovered that when an electronic medical record system is introduced, then the number of patients being treated within two weeks of their positive chlamydia test doubled.
The researchers have based their findings on an examination of 100 patients at a GUM clinic who were treated either before or after the clinic stopped using paper records. When the clinic was still using paper records, it took on average 11.5 days for the patient to receive treatment after their STD test. When electronic records were introduced, the time for the GUM clinic to provide antibiotics fell to 3.5 days.
There was a huge leap in the number of people being treated within two weeks, jumping from 38% being treated within the time frame to 94%.
Chlamydia is easily treated with a course of antibiotics but it is important that people deal with the infection as soon as possible. Left untreated for a long time, it can eventually lead to infertility in women, as it is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. PID can cause blocked fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriages.
As well as encouraging treatment, GUM clinics worldwide have experienced huge problems getting those in at-risks groups for chlamydia to get an STD test in the first place. Various governments and health care trusts have tried different initiatives, including offering monetary incentives when people get tested, advertising campaigns and education programs.
There has also been increased interest in electronic storage of patient's records on the NHS. While many surgeries already to this, the Labour government has invested heavily
This study has been published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infection. The authors commented, "The longer a [sexually transmitted infection] goes untreated, the more risk there is of onward transmission and of clinical complications.
Appropriate use of technology greatly improves our ability to treat patients rapidly, and we should strive to use all available methods, for the good of our patients and the betterment of public health.
Clinics still running paper based records should strongly consider switching to electronic patient records."
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