Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members. 

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Clinical Pathway:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease algorithm
  • Includes:
    • Diagnostic algorithm
    • Management algorithm
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Synopsis – provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway 

 Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

• Inclusion: 
  • Any of the following
    • Lower abdominal/pelvic pain outside of menses
    • Abnormal vaginal discharge
    • Breakthrough/abnormal bleeding
    • Dyspareunia  

• Exclusion:
  • Pregnancy
  • Mullerian anomalies 

 Committee members involved in the development: 

• Rachel Whitfield, MSN, APRN, FNP-C | Adolescent Medicine | Committee Co-Chair
• Ashli Lawson, MD, MS | Gynecology | Committee Co-Chair
• Melissa Miller, MD | Emergency Medicine | Committee Member
• Maria Deza Leon, MD | Infectious Diseases | Committee Member 
• George Phillips, MD, MBA, CAQSM, FAAP | General Academic Pediatrics | Committee Member
• Noelle Tran, DO | Emergency Medicine – Fellow | Committee Member 
• Kedar Tilak, MD, MS | Infectious Diseases – Fellow | Committee Member
• Lauren Roth, MD | Gynecology – Fellow | Committee Member
• Amanda Styers, MSN, APRN, CPN | Committee Member 

EBP Committee Members: 

• Kathleen Berg, MD, FAAP | Hospitalist, Evidence Based Practice 
• Andrea Melanson, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice 

 Publication dates: 

• Finalized date: 05/2025
• Next expected revision date: May 2028 

 Concerns with content: 

If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu.  

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.