The ED notifies the IP that a patient with syphilis was recently diagnosed. Who should the IP notify?

• A. Public health department
• B. Hospital administration
• C. The patient
• D. Local health registry

Answer: (A)

Notifiable diseases must be reported to public health authorities to support surveillance, investigation, and action to prevent further transmission. Syphilis is typically reportable, so when the ED informs the infection preventionist of a recent diagnosis, the correct step is to notify the public health department. This enables official case investigation, contact tracing, and guidance on treatment and follow-up testing, while maintaining patient confidentiality. The patient still needs appropriate care and counseling, and while hospital administration and data registries may be involved in other ways, the mandated reporting channel is the public health department.