Evaluation of Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance System Electronic Laboratory Processing in Florida: Automating Case Creation, Reporting, and Closure of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Cases

Abstract

Background Each year, Florida Department of Health staff process hundreds of thousands of electronically received laboratory results for chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC). These processing steps are currently performed manually in Florida's surveillance system and divert from other sexually transmitted disease prevention efforts. We developed processes that would automate these procedures and evaluated the impact on potential programmatic time savings. Methods We evaluated 575,952 electronic CT/GC laboratory results from January 2019 to December 2021. Laboratory results were processed through the newly automated procedures and algorithms. Expected time savings were projected using conservative estimates of 1 minute saved every time an automated process replaced a current manual procedure: profile matching, profile creation, event record creation, case review, and case reporting. Exceptions to automatic case reporting applied to certain higher-priority populations needing intervention. Results During this period, 297,348 electronic CT/GC laboratory results were received for people with no previous recorded history of sexually transmitted diseases and required profile creation. In total, 386,763 new surveillance infection records were created for reporting. Of reported cases, 127,345 were from higher-priority groups. The proposed automations would have saved an estimated 33,121 hours of staff time, about 11,040 hours or the work of 5.3 full-time staff annually. Conclusions Automating current CT/GC laboratory processing would save thousands of personnel hours that could be redirected to higher-priority activities. Flexibility in prioritization criteria for automated case reporting allows programs to adjust automation to disease prevention priorities and resources. Similar automation procedures could be developed by other jurisdictions or health programs.