Evaluation of an Emergency Department Sexually Transmitted Infection Empiric Treatment and Linkage-to-care Program

Our findings emphasize both the successes and opportunities for improvement of a linkage-to-care protocol to provide treatment access for patients in the ED who test positive for sexually transmitted infections. Given the significant strain on the public health infrastructure in the United States and on our local Department of Health, ED-based linkage programs fill an important gap in healthcare delivery. Going forward, improving overall treatment rates in females and patients with chlamydia or syphilis is warranted.