(P91) RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PATIENT-INITIATED, SELF-COLLECTED SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION (STI) TESTING AND TELEHEALTH WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION TREATMENT

Background:
Patient-initiated, home-collected testing options may improve access to STI care. Analysis of patient testing data provides useful insight into the efficiency and impact of patient-initiated STI screening.

Methods:
Data from STI testing at LetsGetChecked (a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified lab) and associated telehealth consultations that occurred in 2022 and 2023 was reviewed.  Patients selected which tests they wanted performed on their sample(s) including nucleic acid tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Gardnerella vaginalis (GV), and Ureaplasma species, and serologic screening assays for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Syphilis.  Patients mailed their sample(s) to the laboratory.  Results were phoned to the patient and/or posted in the patient’s secure portal. Patients could opt to purchase a telehealth consultation by secure messaging.

Results:
A total of 31,662 kits (175,831 individual tests) were ordered. The average patient age was 36.8 (+/- 11.3; range 18 - 88) with 47.7% females.  Average time from kit activation to result was 6.6 days.  9506 (5.4%) tests were canceled: insufficient specimen (62%), clotted/hemolyzed (14%), identification issue (8%), stability exceeded (4.5%), other (11.5%).  Positivity rates were CT: 4.3%, NG: 0.7%, TV: 1.8%, MG: 2.3%, GV: 40.7%, Ureaplasma: 41.6%, HIV: 0.6%, Syphilis: 1.5%.  Telehealth consultations for abnormal results included prescriptions: CT: 93.7% (n=583), TV: 95.1% (n=204), MG: 96.3% (n=107), GV: 76.8% (n=870).  Telehealth consultations were typically obtained and completed on the day results were released.

Conclusion:
Patient-initiated home-collected STI testing with an option for consultation increases access to STI care.  Test kits were purchased by females/males equally within a wide age range.  Positivity rates were similar to published benchmarks. Telehealth consultations were an effective means of prescribing treatment when appropriate.