Margaret is a 27-year-old graduate student, recently married, who
comes into the student health clinic for a routine pelvic exam and
PAP smear. During the course of the exam, the gynecology resident
performing the exam obtains the PAP smear, but also obtains
cervical cultures for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The examination
concludes uneventfully.
Several weeks later, Margaret receives a postcard indicating that the
PAP smear was normal, with no evidence of dysplasia, but that the
cervical culture for gonorrhea was positive. The card instructs her to
come into the clinic to discuss treatment, and that "public health
authorities" have been notified for contact tracing. The young
woman is terrified that her husband will be contacted and complains
to the Director of the student health clinic.
As the Director of the clinic, how would you handle Margaret’s
complaint?