Background:
The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) STD/HIV Program increased the number of people tested for Syphilis and HIV by decreasing the amount of paperwork needed to complete testing activities. Three different types of intake forms were being utilized and this led to the collection of inconsistent data. In response to this weakness one intake form was developed and implemented. Program staff combined four forms (bubble sheet, intake, laboratory and HIV consent form) into one multi-part form.

Objective:
1.Increase the number of people tested for syphilis and HIV within the community.
2.Decrease the amount of time needed to complete the intake/consent form and laboratory form.


Method:
In April 2005, the BCHD STD/HIV Program implemented multi-part STD/HIV screening form. This form captured client's demographics, physical description, emergency contact, risk behavior and STD history. In addition, this form also incorporated laboratory information and the consent needed for testing. The original copy is forwarded with the specimen to the laboratory and the carbon copy is utilized for data collection.

Result:
The development of this form allowed the outreach team to decrease time utilized for completion of all necessary paperwork from fifteen minutes to five minutes. The number of tests has increased from 2,933 (Oct 2004-March 2005) to 5,678 (April-Sept 2005). In addition, this process allowed us to improve the completeness of the current database.

Conclusion:
Minimizing the forms decreased the amount of time utilized during intake and increased the number of people tested in the community for syphilis and HIV.

Implications:
STD/HIV Programs that participate in community screening for Syphilis and HIV should consider condensing paperwork to one form.