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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a significant public health concern in the United States. Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2006) issued revised guidelines for the prevention and treatment of STIs. Included in the CDC’s recommendation was the option for expedited partner therapy (EPT) by healthcare practitioners to combat the rising and sometimes stagnant rates of STIs. Defined by the Center for Disease Control (2006) as "the practice of treating the sex partners of persons with STDs without an intervening medical evaluation or professional prevention counseling”, EPT has the potential to play a major role in reducing the transmission and prevalence rates of sexually transmitted infections in the United States.

Historically, healthcare providers have relied on the patient with a sexually transmitted infection to inform their partner(s) of their infection with the recommendation to have their partner seek treatment. Unfortunately, only 40-60% of partners exposed to a STI are reached by this practice. Recent research indicates that expedited partner therapy can reduce the prevalence and transmission of sexually transmitted infections when used in partners of patients with an existing STI.

Therefore, it becomes important for nurses, including nurse practitioners, to be aware of this management strategy which may significantly reduce the overall transmission and prevalence of STIs in the United States. Additionally, practitioners need to be aware of individual state legal requirements when considering initiation and recommendation of EPT.

This innovative program presentation will review what EPT is, how it is accomplished, provide practice guidelines and review individual state legal requirements for EPT.