METHODS: In 2014, public health department cases without gonorrhea treatment were added on district (multi-county) monthly reports, and it was requested that district staff fill in the missing treatment in SendSS, Georgia’s data system. The gonorrhea data improvement was discussed on monthly data workgroup calls, including baseline data, the correct way to enter treatment for co-infected cases, and methods for getting treatment information. In June 2015, technical assistance calls were held with each district to discuss problems with data entry.
RESULTS: In 2013, 23.6% of public health department gonorrhea cases did not have treatment reported, which decreased to 14.7% in 2014 and further decreased to 9.4% in 2015. In 2013, 47% of public health department gonorrhea cases with reported treatment had a treatment that aligned with CDC STD Treatment Guidelines; this increased to 86% in 2015 after technical assistance with districts to ensure recommended treatments were entered correctly or that providers were aware of updated treatment guidelines. Through the technical assistance calls, STD program staff were also able to resolve data system issues and share best practices with districts that were struggling.
CONCLUSIONS: The list of public health department gonorrhea cases with missing treatment will continue to be sent to districts on the monthly report to further decrease missing treatment data. Public health department chlamydia cases with missing treatment have been added to the monthly report since 2014; of public health department chlamydia cases, 22.9% were missing treatment in 2013 decreasing to 11.6% in 2015. Next steps include educating private providers who are not reporting treatment for gonorrhea cases or who report treatment which does not follow CDC’s 2014 STD Treatment Guidelines.