Cutting-Edge Practice

Preg-Out Program

State/Jurisdiction: Texas
Setting: Clinical
Population: Infant Women & Maternal
Topic Area: Health Screening Reproductive Health Birth Outcomes
NPMs:

In 2023 the Houston Health Department reported a syphilis outbreak responsible for a 128% increase in cases among women and a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis (CS) in Houston and Harris County. Cases among women totaled 674 in 2022, up from only 16 cases in 2016. Infection rates and lack of proper screening are particularly acute in underserved communities such as women of color and ‘unstable housing’ populations. Given such a stark increase, new methodologies are required to address these changing circumstances. The Preg-Out program seeks to address this issue by: 1) implementing an opt-out system of syphilis screening at the time of any pregnancy testing, including ED visits, 2) utilization of rapid, point-of-care syphilis testing with immediate presumptive treatment at these visits and 3) patient-centered follow-up such as dedicated research coordinators to schedule appointments and follow-up with lab based results, referral to the local Health Department and other social services, partner testing/treatment, and appointment notification/transportation services.


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Implementation Handout



CONTACT INFORMATION
UTHealth Houston
Irene Stafford
Irene.Stafford@uth.tmc.edu

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