Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to use a web-based education to standardize STI and vaginitis screening methods, in adolescent and adult women presenting to the urgent care setting. The aim was to change clinicians' current beliefs and practices, for vaginitis and STI screening methods, to reflect current evidence-based practice, with an emphasis on self-collected vaginal swabs (SCVS).

Summary: Project participants included clinicians currently practicing in the urgent care setting and licensed as either a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. An email inviting participants to participant in the e-learning module was sent to 34 clinicians, and 25 participated. Project setting was MultiCare Health System's Indigo Urgent Care clinics in Western Washington. An e-learning module addressing STIs, vaginitis, and screening methods with an emphasis on SCVS was created and administered to the participants. A pretest and posttest were used to assess knowledge acquisition and intent to change practice. Data analysis occurred using a paired sample t-test for knowledge acquisition, a McNemar test for intent to increase use of SCVS, and descriptive statistics for demographics.

Outcomes: The knowledge acquisition scores revealed that there was a statistically significant mean difference increase of 29.20% between the pre-test (M = 61.20, SD = 18.556) and post-test (M = 90.40, SD =6.758), t (24) = -8.559, p < 0.001. The number of intended vaginal swab use in asymptomatic patients increased in post-intervention from pre-intervention and was statistically significant X 2(1) = 4.500, p = 0.034. The number of intended vaginal swab use in symptomatic patients increased in post-intervention from pre-intervention and was statistically significant, X 2 (1) = 12.071, p < .0001.

Implications: Clinicians' knowledge increased and reported an intent to increase the use of SCVS in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. Allowing patients to perform SCVS not only increases their satisfaction as it has proven to be a preferred practice, but also potentially increases screening rates. With continued use and increased acceptance, SCVS will positively impact some of the national key quality metrics and Healthy People 2020 goals, which both emphasize increased STI screening among women, to reduce rates of infection.

Robyn Fuller

Author Details

Robin R. Fuller, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CNOR

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Sexually Transmitted Infections, Vaginitis, Self-collected Vaginal Swabs

Conference Name

21st Annual NPWH Premier Women's Healthcare Conference

Conference Year

2018

Conference Location

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Conference Host

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

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Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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