Over the past several years, Canada experienced a
124% increase in infectious cases of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without the correct treatment. In 2023, the STI Education team at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) collaborated in a working group to address barriers in accessing syphilis treatment across the province.
Working closely with the
BCCDC Pharmacy,
Fraser Health and other partners, the group embarked on a project to position syphilis treatment packs in environments where opportunistic care could be offered like Emergency departments and Urgent Care units. Syphilis treatment is complex and as a result of the group's efforts to identify the missing gaps in treatment, individuals are receiving the correct treatment and getting treated faster, helping to prevent the spread of infections to others.
“Opportunistic treatment is key to addressing gaps in healthcare access. The STI Education team went above and beyond to address missed opportunities and medication errors for syphilis treatment,” says Jay McBain, senior practice lead, STI/HIV, Clinical Prevention Services, BCCDC.
Congratulations to the STI Education team on their PHSA+ Award!
The PHSA+ Awards are part of an internal recognition program that celebrates teams and individuals who bring our PHSA values to life in the workplace. They go above and beyond to serve patients and families across B.C. Read about the other PHSA+ award recipients for 2023.
