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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 2

Category: Obstetric Quality and Safety

Poster Session 2

(686) Implementation of universal syphilis screening in patients presenting for birth hospitalization: a year in review

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Objective:
In April 2024, ACOG recommended syphilis screening at the time of delivery in response to increasing rates of congenital infection. We aimed to 1) describe rates and uptake of universal syphilis screening at birth hospitalization after implementation of quality improvement operational and educational interventions, and 2) describe the incidence of positive and equivocal screening results.

Study Design:
We included all birthing persons admitted for delivery at a single urban academic hospital from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Interventions to improve screening included automatic inclusion of the Treponemal antibody (TP Ab) lab in the standard L&D admission order set in June 2024, a lecture about syphilis in pregnancy for trainees in Sept 2024, and an educational reminder at L&D team meetings with signage for all L&D staff initiated in Jan 2025. Process measures included rate of birthing patients per month that had a TP Ab result within 7 days of birth. Positive and equivocal TP Ab results were further evaluated using a reverse sequence algorithm and medical record review to assess if falsely positive or if indicative of a new or past infection.

Results:
During the study, 4871 pregnant persons were admitted, of which 3580 (73%) were screened for syphilis at delivery. In June 2024, 21% of birthing persons were screened, and this increased to 94% by May 2025 (Fig. 1). The median screening rates increased following trainee education from 57% to 77% and further increased to 93% after staff education. Twenty-six patients had positive or equivocal TP Ab results: 1 new infection, 14 known, previously treated infections, and 11 false positive results (Fig. 2).

Conclusion:
Syphilis screening of birthing persons presenting for delivery improved significantly following our interventions. Overall, the incidence of new diagnoses of syphilis in birthing persons at our institution was lower than the hospital reported rate amongst all patients. Future efforts to assess the characteristics of patients still missing screening are needed.