Background:
In recent years there have been increased discussions surrounding chlamydia re-screening and re-infection rates nationally, but there isn't always an easy way to obtain the data locally.

Objective:
Utilize the various STD related databases maintained by HEALTH to obtain chlamydia re-screening and re-infection rates for Family Planning IPP sites.

Method:
A list of all Family Planning females with a positive chlamydia test was generated from the Rhode Island IPP database. This list was cross-matched with the laboratory information system by utilizing the client number and date of specimen collection from the IPP database. From this cross-match, the name of the case was obtained as well as any subsequent tests and results. Finally, the name of the case was queried within Rhode Island's STD Registry to obtain the date of treatment for the initial infection. From these cross-matches, the number of weeks between the treatment of the initial infection and re-screening can be calculated as well as re-infection rates.

Result:
For 2004 data, the last year a medical record review was performed, 63% of females testing positive were re-screened within 6 months, but only 18% were re-screened within the recommended timeframe of three to four months after treatment. The cross-matches that were performed for 2005 and 2006 data were similar, with approximately 58% of the females being re-screened, but the percentage of females re-screened within the appropriate timeframe increased from what was seen in 2004 (25% in 2005, 37% in 2006). Approximately 17% of those females re-screened were positive in 2005 and 2006.

Conclusion:
If all the necessary information is contained within the databases, cross-matching can be utilized as an alternative to medical record reviews to obtain chlamydia re-screening and re-infection rates.

Implications:
Cross-matching can allow statisticians to obtain chlamydia re-screening and re-infection rates, thus easing the burden on the staff that perform medical record reviews.