Defense Date
7-20-2026
Graduation Date
Summer 8-7-2026
Submission Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
School
School of Nursing
Faculty Mentor
Laura Crimm
Committee Member
Andrea Burks
Keywords
chlamydia, universal chlamydia screening, adolescent sexual health
Abstract
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States in adolescents and young adults (Dutra & Lazenby, 2023). Per Smith, Reirden, and Nyquist (2022), adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for more than 60% of new chlamydia infections each year. Testing for chlamydia is not standardized, and it is estimated that only 50% of those who qualify receive a yearly screening American Sexual Health Association. (2021). If outpatient testing and treatment is not improved these asymptomatic cases will be missed, infections in general will increase, and reinfections may occur leading to chronic conditions of the female reproductive tract. Modeling after the American Medical Association’s clinical work through algorithm for sexually transmitted infection testing (American Medical Association, 2023), an opt-out only urine screen will be performed on every female patient who meets one of the following criteria: 16 years and older, on prescribed birth control or those who admit sexual activity. During the implementation period, a monthly inquiry will be performed to compare pre-protocol and post-protocol chlamydia screening data to assess for improvement. Implementing universal screening improved screening rates by greater than the desired 15% during the period of data collection. Office A improved from 73% prior to protocol implementation to 90% post implementation; while office B improved from 58.5% prior to protocol implementation to 76.6% post implementation. Urine chlamydia testing is a non-invasive testing modality. Initiating universal chlamydia screening in the pediatric office will improve asymptomatic detection in the population most vulnerable for infection.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Howard, Christina, "Improving Chlamydia Testing for Females through Universal Screening in Outpatient Pediatric Primary Care: An Adolescent Quality Improvement Initiative" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts. 72.
https://dsc.duq.edu/dnp/72