This piece is about a plan Memphis area emergency rooms want to implement. In most ER's, if STI & HIV tests are done, they're Opt-In. Many refuse the tests due to stigma, cost, ignorance, etc... These ER's are wanting to go from Opt-In to Opt-Out. This would make the test standard care & patients would have to choose not to allow them.
These ER's want this due to surges in HIV rates. This would inform patients of their status. While this is about Tennessee, I've read other pieces noting this approach.
Opting in for some people is knee jerk. Opting out will be an actual decision they'll have to make. Being unknowingly HIV+ is a potential community health hazard. No one should be allowed to endanger others just because they don't want to know.
That's all for today. Take care.
Cya...
No comments:
Post a Comment