A multi-district audit against national guidelines for the management of uncomplicated genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

A regional audit group in genitourinary medicine (GUM) developed a method to assess their practice using peripatetic audit workers. An audit using 2 audit proformas recorded information relating to an agreed selection of standards contained within the national guidelines for the management of uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection. An audit worker (ADP) reviewed patient records of a sample of cases. Nine GUM clinics throughout the Yorkshire region participated in the audit; 489 cases out of a total annual workload of 2358 cases positively diagnosed as uncomplicated chlamydial infection were reviewed. Variations in compliance with the standards for confirmation of test results and the time from diagnosis to treatment were seen. Recording of discussions, advice and contact tracing activity were limited or separated from the main patient record, making assessment of practice difficult. Post-audit meetings of the group led to action on these areas and commitment to re-audit with the same standards and methods.