YNOT – Effective March 14, active adult-industry performers no longer will be required to include the Trep-Sure test for syphilis in their routine health-certification panels, Adult Production Health & Safety Services announced. Trep-Sure has been replaced in the panels by the RPR test, a recognized standard for syphilis diagnosis used by most clinics and hospitals, an APHSS statement noted.

Administered by adult industry trade association Free Speech Coalition, APHSS is a voluntary, industry-wide program devoted to ensuring the health and workplace safety of adult performers. One of the responsibilities of the organization is to mandate minimum standards of performer testing in order to facilitate industry-appropriate self-regulation (versus outside legislation). A medical advisory board oversees protocols that represent industry best practices. APHSS also maintains a database of performers who have presented documentation certifying them free of sexually transmitted diseases and therefore are available to shoot hardcore scenes.

Although performers who have been working for some time no longer must undergo Trep-Sure testing, new-to-the-industry performers are required to include one Trep-Sure test as part of their first test panel. Thereafter, active talent are required to take a standard performer’s panel, which should include an RPR test for syphilis.

APHSS administrators hope the change in protocol will decrease the period of time between testing and results, as well as reduce the need for unnecessary testing for specific patients.

The decision emerged from the first 2013 meeting of the APHSS medical advisory board, which is composed of a team of six doctors including infectious disease experts, pathologists and internists. All of the doctors are affiliated with APHSS-approved testing facilities or voluntarily serve in an advisory capacity.

“Our medical advisory board had a very substantive discussion that concluded with the revised protocol,” FSC Chief Executive Officer Diane Duke said. “An overwhelming majority of our medical professionals concluded that this was the best path.

“This is an impressive group, and we are extremely fortunate to be able to rely on their expertise,” she added.