STD Clinic in DC Talks of Mother’s Heath on World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day was on September 17. This year’s theme was “Safe Maternal and Newborn Care.” The slogan for the day was “Act Now for Safe and Respectful Childbirth.”
In May 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly adopted the resolution WHAT72.6 on “Global Action on Patient Safety.” Since then, September 17 is observed as World Patient Safety Day.
The resolution treats patient safety as a health priority across the globe. The day is observed to increase global understanding and awareness about the safety of patients.
Talk of maternal care; talk of STDs
This year’s theme on maternal and newborn safety and care resonates with timely testing and treatment of diseases. This includes STDs. This is because, when we talk of newborn safety, we must ensure the mother is free of sexually transmitted diseases.
According to doctors at STD clinic in DC, many dangerous infections can be transmitted from the mother to her baby during vaginal delivery. They include gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and others.
This can lead to serious health complications in the newborn. In many cases, infection may lead to premature birth of a baby.
When talking of patient safety, especially maternal care and safety, we must not overlook the importance of STD testing. The Centers of Disease and Control (CDC) recommends pregnant women undergo tests for common STDs during their first natal visit. “This is a first step towards becoming a responsible parent,” remarks a doctor at the urgent care clinic in DC.
Safe way to test for STDs
If you are planning to have a baby or are pregnant, please discuss with your doctor about STD test. Or you could simply walk in the nearest STD clinic in DC and ask for a test. If you are unsure what test to undergo, you can consult a doctor here. Based on your sexual history, the doctor will recommend you a test. No appointment is required to consult a doctor at the clinic. You will be seen in less than 30 minutes.
Most common STDs are curable. So, even if you come out positive, you need not panic. The doctor will prescribe you treatment. Follow it and save yourselves and your baby.
Every mother and her newborn has the right to immediate and excellent medical care. However, it is also the responsible of the mother to give her baby a happy and disease-free existence in the world. We are not talking of birth defects or other conditions like genetic diseases that may not be under your control. We are talking about conditions that you, as a to-be-mother can control, such as your routine health checkups and STD testing.
Please remember that routine health examinations do not include STD testing. You must either ask your doctor to include this test, or walk in your nearest STD testing clinic in DC. Most STDs do not produce symptoms. You may think you are fine, when you might not be.
Patient safety is not only the responsibility of the policy makers and health care providers, but also the responsibility of the patient themselves.