Lakeview STI Specialty Clinic

It’s hard to complain about a free service; however, I arrived at the clinic at 10:00 am (the listed time the clinic opens) and didn’t leave until 1:30 pm. A week after my tests, I called during the indicated time for my results and no one answered. I am going on day 3 of calling fairly consistently and no answer. Waste of time. I suggest going somewhere else to be tested — especially if you can afford to pay.

First-​time visit. I arrived at 8:45 and found about 8 people already waiting. I was very confused about what to do when I walked in and I went to the window and the man told me to wait in line behind another patient. The guy who was supposed to be there was sitting down and was clearly also confused about what to do.
After about 5 – 10 minutes of standing there a women told me to enter one of the rooms. She asked me why I was there, to which I replied for the free STI testing. She seemed confused by my response and asked if I had symptoms, which I did not have. She again seemed confused. She gave me a card and told me the wait would be about an hour.
About 50-​minutes later they called me back and the same woman took my blood. She told me that I would be tested for Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV. I asked if they were going to swab my throat and she informed me that I could have that done, but I would have to see someone in the clinic and that could take another hour. I wish she had told me about my options when I first walked in. She said I could wait for my HIV results, but again that would be an additional hour. I was out of there by 9:50.
Here are my takeaways from the experience & recommendations:
* Be prepared to be a little confused and to be flexible with your time.
* The facility was clean, but clearly very old.
* Staff was friendly enough, but not the friendliest.
* With no symptoms they put you on the «fast-​track» testing path.
* They seem low staffed.
* Be very clear about what you want/​need and ask a lot of questions, since they seem to not offer information readily.
* If you have the money I highly recommend Howard Brown, which is $ 95 for the testing and you meet with the HIV counselor. I felt comfortable asking the HB staff any questions whereas at the LV I did not. Maybe if I had met with the clinic staff I would have had a different experience.

I come here when I need an STD test and that was after having gone to their Englewood Clinic on the south side only to be treated pretty bad. I went home that day and looked up the address for this location and I went in January for my first STD test and just went back two weeks ago for my second this year. The staff is very friendly and treat you with respect. They do need to have ways for those who are handicapped to get to the clinic since it’s not equipped with an elevator for those who are in wheelchairs or unable to walk up a flight of stairs. The hours should be taken into consideration since some days they’re open until as late as 6pm and other days as early as 4:00 — 4:30. When you get your test done you’re given a card to call back when they tell you the results it’s done Monday through Friday from 2 to 4pm and you’re referred by a number you’re assigned. You have the option of doing the fast track HIV test if you want your results back in 30 minutes. Test results for Herpes, Syphilis, Gonnorhea and Clamydia will take 5 – 7 days to get back. The testing is free especially for those who can’t afford to get one through their primary care doctor and you can get resources for treatment if you test positive for something. Your fast track results are read to you by a counselor in a private room. You can also get free condoms and resources for other birth control option (s). To get there you can get off at Diversey brown/​purple line and walk to Clark Street. Even though it looks run down, but it helps for those who don’t have good health insurance to pay for STD tests and treatment-​if needed. You can come in on a first come first serve basis to get tested. It’s best to come early as possible to get in and out of there since you could be waiting in line with people ahead of you.

This is a great resource for those interested in staying on top of their sexual health. They offer FREE HIV and STI testing and examinations, which are administered by relatively friendly and knowledgable staff. The clinic itself is a little run-​down, which initially made me a little nervous. In the end, I didn’t feel that it interfered with the quality of service. They also give out free condoms.
A couple of major details to be aware of: The clinic is walk-​in only and on first-​come-​first-​served basis. Clear your schedule for the day if you come in — I spent about three and a half hours at the clinic, most of which was spent waiting. Also, you are asked for a government ID and a social security number, which may pose a problem for potential patients who don’t have access to those and are looking to get tested.

I went last Fri and arrived around 3pm. The African-​American gentleman at the front told me they wouldn’t accept anymore patients for the day. So, I went there again which was Monday. I arrived before 1pm. It’s the same gentleman as last time. I tried to ask him about signing in, he was busy with the computer and asked me to wait for a moment. As I stood there for nearly 15 mins, he didn’t come back to me. Then, I sat down and continue waiting. Later on, he began calling out number for patients. Another 15 mins went by. He asked me if I haven’t been helped, I said no. He said I need to stand up to front to let the other person know that I’m here waiting to get the paper works to fill out. Ok, I got up and stood there for another 10 mins. Finally, a lady came out and asked me what was I there for. I told her that I wanted to get some tests done. She asked where is my paper works, I said nobody had given me anything yet. Then she turned to ask the gentleman at front if they were accepting anymore patients for today, and he said NO. I was like: WHAT?! Then she continue saying that someone has came 7 o’clock in the morning and they were still waiting, that’s why no more patients for the day. She asked me to come back tomorrow 1 hour before they open. I left. Well, this is not making any sense! The gentleman should have told me if they weren’t accepting anymore patients when I arrived. I am not getting how this clinic works. If the lady was supposed to give out any forms, Why would she ask me whether I had any. Besides, she was walking around inside the rooms, ain’t it be the job of the gentleman since he was in the register room all the time. I remember on Fri there was more people waiting than there was on Monday. Considering there was a 2 hours difference and what she said about people waiting since 7 in the morning, does it mean it take 2 hours for each patient? If that’s the case, they should be open ²⁴⁄₇ for the allowance they having everyday. What do you say? Even though it’s a none benefits government organization, shouldn’t it be more effective or friendly?!

if you are not one of the first 10 people in line, you will be here like all day. its first come first serve thats why. its a good place 2 go 2 cuz u dont have 2 pay anything and u dont need insurance. the people are nice and the facility is clean.

In times of need and unemployment this is the place to go. However, the last time I was there which was about 4 – 5 years ago they were overrun, overburdened with a lot of patients with needs. They treat diabetes and AIDS patients. I finally found employment with benefits and stopped going, but now I’m back on the unemployment line and expect to open a file with them again until times get better.
Please don’t close Lakeview — it is greatly needed.

A simple place — they have mostly interns from local med schools here and also, some alternative medicine interns here, too — from my intern friend — she was saying how most people that do go here are usually either the really poor or people on healthcare. She says that it’s great because you get to integrate Western with Oriental Medicine including herbs and acupuncture, as well.