Leveraging Quality Improvement to Improve STI Outcomes
In recent years, sexually transmitted infections (STI) rates in the United States have risen dramatically, with more than 2.4 million STIs reported in the United States alone (CDC, 2024). STIs can have a profound impact on health, including infertility, neurological and cardiovascular disease, stillbirths, and increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This growing epidemic demands urgent action to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs. One strategy to address this issue is the application of quality improvement (QI) methodologies. QI is a structured, data-driven, organizational approach to improve the quality of care within healthcare systems. By focusing on quality improvement, healthcare organizations can streamline processes, increase efficiency, enhance patient satisfaction, and expand access to care. QI tools can empower teams to evaluate current systems, pinpoint areas that need improvement, and implement improvements where necessary. Through sustained QI efforts using tools and data-driven practices, we can move closer to ending the epidemic, achieve better health outcomes, and save lives.