Expedited Partner Therapy Review

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2024 Nov 1;40(11):828-832. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003275.

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infection rates continue to rise in adolescents and young adults. Treatment of patients and their partners is vitally important to prevent reinfection and morbidity. Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is a legally available option for clinicians. EPT is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and allows clinicians to prescribe medication for certain STIs for their patients' partner(s) without an evaluation of the partner(s). However, EPT is underutilized, and multisystem-level barriers exist to successful EPT exist. This article reviews the indications of EPT, common barriers to EPT and solutions to overcome these barriers, and practical considerations when prescribing EPT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Contact Tracing*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / prevention & control
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents