Treatment of partners in the setting of STIs is medically appropriate. This article [“Rethink STI Care,” May 2021] did not address the pitfalls of prescribing medication for an unknown and unseen patient whose medical history cannot be confirmed. Anaphylaxis to cephalosporins is well-known, and there are numerous medications with potential adverse interactions with azithromycin.
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ACEP Now: Vol 40 – No 08 – August 2021As a physician, I am unwilling to subject an unknown patient to potential harm and am equally unwilling to incur the legal liability attached to an adverse outcome in this situation, no matter how noble the cause (health care equity).
The (potential) patient has the responsibility in this case. ED physicians are neither qualified nor justified to act “in loco parentis” for the community.
Gary Roberts, MD, JD
Davis, California
No Responses to “Criticism of Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Infections”