From Research to Quality Improvement: Adolescent NG/CT Screening and Lessons Learned from a Texas Academic Medical Center

Introduction Imperative to the health and well-being of adolescents are health systems that offer quality, equitable health care and are aware of the population they serve. This awareness should entail knowledge of problems faced by the community it serves, barriers to care, and outcomes related to health care delivery. Nationally, issues most noticeable that disproportionately affect youth relate to sexual health. It was hypothesized that the very issues that affect the general American youth likely are the same that impact a local health system. Methods The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary needs assessment to analyze screening practices and rates of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among adolescents within a local health system. However, data challenges arose, and a research pivot occurred, morphing the study into one of program evaluation and improvement, guided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Program Evaluation Framework. Results Data gaps revealed both system and state-level difficulties and health disparities in the assessment of both diseases as well as a health system with minimal, capturable sexual health documentation on its adolescent population. Conclusion Through work with key stakeholders, a state Medicaid policy investigation, electronic medical record improvements, and staff training, what was a data challenge resulted in health system change and the beginnings of disruption and dismantling of sexual health disparities for adolescents.