CHA News

HQI Issues Alert on Increase in Syphilis Among Pregnant Patients

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On Feb 28, the Hospital Quality Institute sent an alert to members after its Sentinel Signal Detection System identified a significant increase in syphilis diagnoses among pregnant patients from 2020 to 2021.  

Although the exact cause for the syphilis rate increase during the pandemic is still under investigation, multiple sources suggest that sexually transmitted infection clinic closures, reduced office hours, delayed care, and suboptimal testing due to reallocation of resources to COVID-19 have all been identified as contributing factors in the disruption of care. 

Email HQI’s Vivian Eusebio at veusebio@chpso.org for questions or comments about the alert.