Hypothetical Question

[Sammyjo]

I belong to an internet community where someone posed this question:

You are going to the hospital, doctor, clinic...and they require a pregnancy test and/or STD testing before they will provide treatment, X-rays, medication, etc.

How would you feel about this? If you were faithful to your partner, would it change your opinion? Would you feel like they were labeling you as easy or a liar if they asked you to take the tests? If you or your partner had been documented as "sterile" would that affect your reaction? Would you be outraged if the tests were mandatory?

Men, you can answer how you would feel if your wife or partner were to have to undergo these tests.

I would like to hear some opinions on this...also, if you need clarification on anything, ask...

 

[Otzchiim]

I cannot imagine anyone objecting to a test for pregnancy or STDs if they are sure it is negative, or not wanting to know if it might not be.
There is enough insecurity and ignorance in life now.

 

[CreamyLady]

I don' think they are labeling a person as easy; they are covering their bottoms legally.

There are many instances of an undisclosed or unsuspected pregnancy, and many medical treatments can cause problems with the pregnancy. What do you think is going to happen to a hospital that treats a woman who, some months later, gives birth to a child with problems?

Same with the STD's. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't, and if a person tests positive for HIV, say, months after a medical treatment, it is better for the hospital if they can point out that the person was positive at the time of treatment.

It isn't a moral judgment. It is information: if a woman is pregnant, we can't do this and this and this. If a person has an STD, well, we proceed accordingly.

 

[Treat]

Well said Creamylady. I couldn't have said it better myself. I know as for myself and my lady, that it would not be a problem. As you said certain information needs to be known in order to know what can and cannot be don, given or taken in these circumstances.

 

[Cheyenne]

I'd have no problem with it

Same as answers above. I think the testing could be necessary to make sure the treatment is correct. For pregnancy, anyway. I'm not sure about the STD. That one it might make a difference to me what I was going to the clinic to be treated for. But then again, maybe not. I'd probably agree to it.

 

[Sammyjo]

Thanks...I hope to hear from more of you on this.

This man was very upset by the fact that the medical staff forced his wife to undergo a pregnancy test prior to some medical treatment she needed. He claims he is sterile, and if she hasn't gotten pregnant in 22 years, then what are the chances of it happening? Let me tell you, my ex-boyfriend was the product of a sterile mother. She was told for years that she would never have children. HE was her miracle. It CAN happen.

I related this tale to him.

I also expressed the same concerns as everyone above. I would want to know...and put the medical staff at ease in the process. Even if I KNEW beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would still take the tests.

There are many issues involved. Certain procedures will harm a growing fetus. And I would NOT want to put my child at risk.

He still is carrying on a week later about the fact that he and his wife were "treated like liars and promiscuous little children". I am sorry, but I would never get that idea into my head. I've been asked to submit to pregnancy tests, drug tests, blood tests, urine tests...for all different reasons...I have never questioned the medical staff. I feel that they are looking out for my best interest by giving me "the right to know". If I had not submitted, I may have been denied medical treatment. Screw that...I'm not risking my life or health for a measly little urine test...WTF???

Oh well...I guess you can see where I stand on it...let's hear from some more people.

 

[Beebeeblue]

One Dr's office I visited refused to do a much needed xray without finding first if I was pg. I told them I was SURE I wasn't but went thru with the test anyway. Xrays can do more harm than good I guess. And I wouldnt mind any tests. They need to know exactly what your body is doing before they can treat it. Isnt that what they are for?

 

[Gingersnap]

Sammyjo I think this guy protests too much. I look at extreme reactions like that as being born of a guilty mind.
Medical people esp surgical place themselves at risk even though we use precautions. A question you might ask him is if the tests were positive. Hepatitis C has been a special problem...... Xrays are very harmful to a baby and if HIV is picked up early the mother can take drugs so the baby can be protected. Some cancers can elevate hormones and ovarian cancer has a blood test for early diagnosis. It is difficult to know what was going on unless he tells you what tests they did and what xrays. What were they trying to rule out and what were her symptoms. Anyway I urge you to have him contact his doctor and get the answers. I wonder if he is reasonable or even willing to accept the answers. Hope that helps you some.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

As well-stated by several posters above, testing for pregnancy is a common and routine procedure performed before any potentially teratogenic diagnostic or therapeutic treatment or procedure is undertaken. In other words, before we run tests or instiute treatment that might hurt a woman's developing baby, we want to make sure there's not one there.

While this precaution does indeed serve the purpose of "covering the bottoms" of doctors from litigation, the main reason we do it is to protect and preserve the health and well-being of our patients (and this of course includes the unborn). It's fortunate for us that in the vast majority of cases doing what is right for the patient is also what protects us legally. This shows that our legal system is basically sound. However, there are still far too many cases in which a doctor acting reasonably and professionally may be held accountable for a poor patient outcome.

Regarding the issue of requiring pregnancy/STD tests, there are certain situations (many listed in previous posts) in which this information is important to diagnosis and treatment and it's simply standard procedure to require it from everyone regardless of how strongly they claim to be monogamous/abstinent, etc. There are FAR too many patients that lie about this sort of thing. A friend and collegue of mine recently had to deliver a baby from a 15 year-old girl who swore up and down that she had never had sex. An immaculate conception? Probably not, but I'm sure even Holy Mary, mother of god, had a postive urine beta-HCG...

Of course, even when we say medical tests are "required", the patient still retains a right to refuse (with a few notable exceptions, of course). The US Supreme Court has established and repeatedly confirmed the patient's right to consent to (or deny) medical treatment and testing. We in the medical profession, having been trained to treat, have great faith and belief in the good of medicine (and accompanying evidence to justify it), but we're bound by the law and patient's basic rights to respect a patient's decision to deny care.

We just make them sign some documents to "cover our bottoms".

 

[Sammyjo]

Well, he apparently can't understand why his wife should have to go through the tests. My question is "Why not?". She is no different than anyone else. We can't make some people follow rules, and let others slide by.

He doesn't understand that it is partly a "right to know" and partly to prevent lawsuits.

Out of the 25 people that answered him only two disagreed with him, me and a medical professional.

The rest of the people, all women, claimed that asking them to conform to this was like calling them liars, and detrimental to all the work the feminists have been doing to give us equality..their words, not mine..

I don't find this procedure to be a negative, rather a positive. I think maybe the people on this board are more open and more in tune with their minds and bodies.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

 

[Sonora]

I would object

to the pregnancy test. I've never had sex with a guy or been with a guy in any way, shape, or form. The test for STD's I would probably have just in case, even though I'm reasonably sure that the women I've been with were 'clean'.

One thing I'm wondering about is who pays for this? Will insurance pick up the tab for pregnancy and STD tests if the patient goes in with a possible broken foot? Maybe the guy was complaining because of financial reasons. Was this ever discussed? Did he even have insurance or was maybe picking up the tab himself and didn't have the financial means to pay for 'unnecessary tests'. Are there some conditions (stomach pain, headache etc.) that these tests are performed for and others that they are not (broken bones-no blood involved, colds/flu, etc.)?

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

To answer your question, Sonora, insurance won't cover a pregnancy test for a broken foot, but then again, any doctor with half a clue what he's doing isn't going to order a that test on a woman with foot pain unless he has some very good reason to suspect she's pregnant.

If a woman of reproductive age comes in with sharp abdominal/pelvic pain and the doctor doesn't do a pregnancy test, he/she is doing her a great disservice. Ectopic pregnancies can rupture and bleed and kill you.

And as I said in my previous post, it isn't uncommon for a woman to come into the hospital/clinic claiming that she's never had sex and it later turns out that she's pregnant. Don't take it personally if doctors don't take you at your word. We just deal with liars on a regular basis, and that make it worse for honest folks like you.

 

[Jade]

I cannot imagine anyone objecting to a test for pregnancy or STDs if they are sure it is negative, or not wanting to know if it might not be.
There is enough insecurity and ignorance in life now.

I think it is the principle of the matter.

I remember once when I was in a doc's office and they asked me how many partners I had had. I said "one." They then asked how many partners MY partner had had, and again my answer was "one." There were two nurses in the room and I will never forget the looks on their faces. They both looked like they were just about to die laughing (and later when I left the room I heard them!) They looked at me like I was the most ignorant sonofabitch alive and explained that although I may think that, that I was young (and naive) and really I shouldn't be so willing to believe the guy I was with like that. They thought I was stupid and fell for the whole "losing your virginity together" thing of course.

So before they would go any further with figuring out my problem (I wasn't reacting well to "the pill") they required that I be tested for STDs!!! I was highly offended!
They weren't taking my word for it and totally didn't believe me. I realize that they had seen a lot but the benefit of the doubt would have been nice too. I had to pay for uneccesary testing and go through uneccesary stress. Some confidential guy calls me later that night to assure me that my tests all came back normal (big surprise) and so I had to then make ANOTHER appointment to go in AGAIN. I realize what the job is about but what about what is convenient and affordable to me ... doesn't that matter?

Oh, and pregnancy test wouldn't be as bad (wouldn't want to risk someone else's life) but if the person doesn't have insurance you should foot the bill or make it free b/c many people would refuse such a thing b/c of cost... yes yes another thread I know).



[Edited by Jade on 07-23-2000 at 08:12 AM]

 

[Kamiyue2c]

The tests are a necessary precaution, but I know how you feel. I went from work to get my hand looked at because it was going numb and before they would even look at it, they made me pee in a cup. Just your typical drug test. I was surprised and annoyed, but anymore, it's standard procedure and something we'll just have to live with in this day and age.

e2c

I'm normally not this cynical, but this kinda thing just gets to me.

 

[Jade]

The tests are a necessary precaution, but I know how you feel. I went from work to get my hand looked at because it was going numb and before they would even look at it, they made me pee in a cup. Just your typical drug test. I was surprised and annoyed, but anymore, it's standard procedure and something we'll just have to live with in this day and age.

e2c

I'm normally not this cynical, but this kinda thing just gets to me.

Yea I see your point... totally!
I realize that not everyone tells the truth at doc.s offices. I just wish they didn't have to treat me like an asshole... and if they are going to laugh at me like that they ought to do it after I leave don't you agree with that?

 

[Ezzy]

One of the problems about "cash" health care is that it leads into the multiple test "billing" syndrom. The "well we took enough blood for 20 tests let's do all 20".
I feel that the guy's problem was not that he knew there was nothing to be found by the tests, rather that he may have feared that there was.
Sterility is a subject that alot of men feel, reflects directly on their manhood.
I think that in most cases if tests are requested, because of the need to a change of treatment if that might affect the unborn.I would be tempted to ask for the treatment that would not cause damage,no matter wheither pergnamt or not and save the tests for others.


EZ