A suspected STD (sexually transmitted disease) can be a significant concern, but opting for emergency room treatment rather than a GP or clinic visit can be extremely costly and unnecessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2014 STD Surveillance Report found that the incidence of chlamydia, gonnorrhea and syphilis had increased for the first time since 2006. The report noted that the chlamydia rate had risen to 456.1 cases per 100,000 population, the rate for gonnorrhea rose to 110.7 per 100,000 and 6.3 per 100,000 for primary and secondary syphilis. With these STD rates increasing significantly, especially for young people, the numbers of people seeking treatment have also risen.
But an emergency room is usually not the right place to seek help. Given the significant and increasing burden on the A,rican healthcare system — studies indicate that we need an additional 52,000 primary healthcare practitioner by 2025 — burdening the ED with STD diagnosis or treatment is unfair — and costly for both the patient and the hospital. The wait time in emergency rooms is lengthening; between 2003 and 2009, it increased from 46.5 minutes to 58.1 minutes, a jump of 25%.Emergency rooms are so crowded that emergency rooms are increasingly reporting having to board admitted patients in hallways until beds become available.
A better option for those looking anonymous STD testing is to visit one of the free STD testing centers or if you are comfortable, report to your own GP. In fact, you can even opt for STD testing at home. A number of sites offer skits that allow you to send away for STD results via post. STD testing centers offer support and advice as well as treatment and are discreet facilities with trained experts in the field. While leaving an STD should not be considered, most cases of STDs can be treated outside of the emergency room. Given that the average cost for an ED visit was about $615 in 2009 and those had one or more visits incurred expenses of around $1,318, the need for a cheaper alternative seems obvious. STD test centers offer that alternative in a safe and professional environment. The cost of STD testing from CDC test centers is free and you can find your nearest STD testing clinics online at the CDC website.
