Integration of Family Planning Services at Denver Metro Health Clinic

Women at risk for sexually transmitted disease (STD) may also be at risk for unintended pregnancy. STD clinical visits provide an opportunity to offer family planning services along with STD treatment and prevention. Denver Metro Health Clinic (DMHC) uses Title X funding to provide initial family planning services and referral for ongoing services to eligible patients as a part of their STD evaluation. An electronic eligibility reminder was developed to identify eligible men and women patients for family planning services during STD clinic visits. Family planning services include preconception counseling, pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling, and provision of birth control methods.

The goal of this program is to provide reproductive health care services to women and men in the Denver STD clinic.

Enrollment in family planning services increased significantly. Among women returning within 12 months, pregnancies were lower among enrolled versus non-enrolled women. Total additional cost was $29.95/visit, and 40.1 minutes of additional staff time.

The program was reviewed using retrospective chart review, clinic observations, and interviews with clinic staff. Enrollment in family planning services increased from 51.6% of eligible persons in 2008 to 95.3% of eligible persons in 2010 (P<.01). Among women returning within 12 months, pregnancies were lower among enrolled versus non-enrolled women for 2008 (7.7% vs. 19.5%, p<.01) and 2010 (13.1% vs 25.9%, P=.05) Staff satisfaction increased providing integrated care using the electronic eligibility reminder and integrated EHR.