OAR 847-015-0050: Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Infection

The Oregon Medical Board recognizes that the adequate treatment of sexually transmitted infections is a public health issue. When identified in a patient, the adequate treatment and prevention of recurrence in the patient often depends upon treatment of the partner or partners of a patient, who may not be available or agreeable for clinical evaluation. (1) As used in this rule: (a) “Expedited partner therapy” has the meaning given in ORS 676.350, the practice of prescribing or dispensing antibiotic drugs for the treatment of a sexually transmitted infection to the partner of a patient without first examining the partner of the patient. (b) “Partner of a patient” has the meaning given in ORS 676.350, a person whom a patient diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection identifies as a sexual partner of the patient. (2) A physician or physician associate treating sexually transmitted infections, may engage in open discussions with a patient to ascertain the ability for a partner of a patient to access medical services. (3) A licensee, otherwise permitted by law to prescribe or dispense controlled substances, may practice expedited partner therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. (4) A licensee may initiate expedited partner therapy when the licensee reasonably believes that a partner of a patient will be unwilling or unable to seek treatment within the context of a traditional provider-patient relationship. (5) When initiating expedited partner therapy, a licensee must: (a) Instruct the patient regarding expedited partner therapy and the medications involved. (b) Ensure appropriate information and advice are made available to the partner of a patient, including educational materials for the patient to share with their partner(s) encouraging the partner to consult a health care provider and disclosing potential adverse drug reactions and dangerous interactions between medications. (c) Make reasonable efforts to refer the partner of a patient to appropriate health care professionals. (6) Except as provided in this rule, a licensee may not write prescriptions unless they have conducted an adequate encounter with the patient, and documented this encounter in the medical record. (7) The partner of a patient is considered to be an individual entitled to receive the prescription drug, and nothing in this rule is intended to establish a professional relationship between the physician or physician associate and the partner of a patient.