Does Minnesota support Expedited Partner Therapy?

Minnesota does support Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), which is a public health strategy used to treat the sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without requiring those partners to visit a healthcare provider. This approach helps to reduce the spread of infections by making it easier for partners to receive treatment promptly.

The state has formally endorsed EPT as a means to improve the management of STIs, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea, by allowing healthcare providers to prescribe medications to a patient for their partner without the partner needing to be seen for an examination. This can lead to better health outcomes and lower transmission rates of STIs in the community.

In contrast, the other options are not aligned with Minnesota's stance on EPT. Prohibiting EPT would be contrary to the established guidelines that promote its use for public health benefits. Limiting EPT to certain infections or requiring prior patient consent would also contradict the general framework of how EPT is implemented, as the practice is designed for broader application under specific circumstances related to particular STIs.