STD Clinic Definition of Services
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Public Health and Safety Division
Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Bureau
HIV/STD Section
In addition to specific requirements listed below, those sites designated as STD clinics by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), HIV/STD Section, must adhere to STD CLINIC STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT listed in the SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES, May 1991. This document is produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and has been made available to all sites designated as an STD clinic by DPHHS.
Each STD Clinic will provide the following specific services:
- Male and female exams and treatment for STDs to include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STDs (herpes, yeast infections, genital warts) as expertise of the health care provider allows. Regardless of other services provided by the agency, the agency must advertise that it is an STD clinic that serves both men and women.
- Provide services without regard to sex, race, orientation, marital status, religion.
- In accordance with the Montana Codes Annotated (Section 41-1402, MCA), the diagnosis and treatment of STDs will be provided for minors with self-consent of the individual.
- Interview, within DPHHS time requirements, individuals diagnosed with the above reportable diseases for the elicitation of sexual contacts. Assure examination and/or treatment of all locatable sexual contacts within their community. If patient interview and contact notification are not possible due to jurisdictional limitations, the STD clinic must notify the DPHHS STD/HIV Section as outlined in ARM 16.28.306 l(C).
- An STD Interview Case Record must be submitted, upon case closure, to the DPHHS STD/HIV Section for those STDs that have been classified as reportable by the Montana Codes Annotated (Section 37-2-301, MCA).
- It is recommended that clinical protocols for patient management conform with those outlined in Clinical Practice Guidelines referred to above.
- Clerical staff may obtain only relevant identification and demographic data. Medical information from the client must be gathered in a private setting and only by professional clinic staff. Records and other information concerning individuals utilizing the services of the STD clinic must be kept strictly confidential and can be disclosed only in accordance with Section 50-16-603, MCA (Uniform Health Care Information Act or Government HCIA).
- Provide all STD clients with risk reduction education on STDs.
- Provide free condoms and instructions to STD clients requesting condoms.
- It is encouraged that all clients seeking services for STDs also be provided counseling and testing for HIV.
- If the clinic charges for services provided, the fees should be determined on a sliding-fee scale. No one should be denied services for an inability to pay.
The DPHHS HIV/STD Section will provide the following to each of the DPHHS-designated STD Clinics:
- Consultative support for the patient interview, and notification of sexual contacts to include, as the need arises, on-site patient interview and contact notification.
- Client-related educational materials as available.
- Professional staff training related to disease intervention.
- Condoms for client distribution and prescriptive treatment reimbursement for indigent clients on a predetermined basis. Condoms and prescriptive treatment reimbursement will be made available to STD clinics by the DPHHS STD/HIV Section as resources allow.
- Public Health Laboratory lab slips and testing kits for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- DPHHS referral of patient and contact information to other local/state jurisdictions.
- Analysis of local morbidity and disease intervention information, as requested.
- Public information campaigns and assistance with local news releases, as requested.
Page updated 1-7-08
