From: Laurie Talarico, MS, RN, NP, Nursing Practice Coordinator
Re: Clinical Advisory: Utilizing Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Chlamydia Infection in Massachusetts
Date: September 9, 2011
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a Clinical Advisory with important information for healthcare providers.
The Clinical Advisory in part states:
"Recent legislation (Chapter 131, Section 62, of the Acts of 2010) authorizes certain healthcare providers to prescribe or dispense antibiotics to treat chlamydia infection in the sex partners of patients with chlamydia infection. Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is the practice of treating the sex partners of people diagnosed with chlamydia infection without first examining or testing the partner. EPT helps interrupt the spread of disease by getting treatment to people who might otherwise remain untreated. The regulations governing EPT in Massachusetts are 105 CMR 700.003(J) and 105 CMR 721.000. The authorization for EPT applies only to chlamydia infection."
Additional information can be accessed at:
Regulations governing EPT in Massachusetts at 105 CMR 700.003(J)
Regulations governing EPT in Massachusetts at 105 CMR 721.000
EPT Prescribing Guidelines: Elements of a Written Prescription
This information is provided by the Division of Health Professions Licensure within the Department of Public Health.