Cost savings and increased efficiency using a stratified specimen pooling strategy for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Joanna Lynn Lewis; Vivian Marie Lockary; Sadika Kobic

doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318231cd4a

Cost savings and increased efficiency using a stratified specimen pooling strategy for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Sex Transm Dis. 2012 Jan;39(1):46-8. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318231cd4a.

Authors

Joanna Lynn Lewis¹, Vivian Marie Lockary, Sadika Kobic

Affiliation

¹ Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Health and Welfare, Boise, ID 83712, USA. lewisj@dhw.idaho.gov

PMID: 22183846
DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318231cd4a

Abstract

Idaho Chlamydia trachomatis-Neisseria gonorrhoeae specimens from July 2009 were pooled by stratified specimen pooling, an approach that removes high-risk specimens from the pooling population and pools low-risk specimens to maximize pooling efficiency. This approach reduced pool positivity rates by 8%, repeated tests by 9%, and saved 47.4% in direct costs.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Bacteriological Techniques / economics
Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis*
Chlamydia Infections / economics
Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification*
Cost Savings
Female
Gonorrhea / diagnosis*
Gonorrhea / economics
Gonorrhea / epidemiology
Humans
Idaho / epidemiology
Male
Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification*
Prevalence
Sensitivity and Specificity
Specimen Handling / economics*
Specimen Handling / methods*