Washington West Project

Update: While I was displeased with what appeared to be a breakdown in the testing protocol, the supervisory staff at this location and at the parent location have been extremely professional and generous with their time and support regarding my concern by providing me with repeated consultation and an offer for repeat testing with the appropriate measures in place.
I am very displeased with the professionalism of this place. Went in for a fingerprick HIV test. The counselor who tested me was a woman. As she called me back from the waiting room, and walked me back to the testing room, her underwear was hanging out the back of her pants. Very unprofessional looking and made me uneasy. She sat me down at the testing desk and grabbed a test kit. She opened the kit and poured all the contents on the bare desk surface. She didn’t sanitize the desk with anything first or put down any type of protective barrier between the desk and the packets contents. She then put on gloves, opened an alcohol swab, and wiped the tip of my index finger. She then grabbed the needle (which had a protective sheath) and pricked my finger. All good so far, but then the protocol went downhill. She then squeezed blood out of my finger and then grabbed a cotton swab that was in the kit and wiped my finger. She then laid the bloody cotton swab on the desk surface, grabbed a bottle and poured some of my blood into the bottle. She then picked up the swab and wiped my finger again, put it back on the bare desk surface. She repeated this 3 times. I didn’t realize the unsanitary nature of this until after I left. Who else was tested on that bare desk surface? Was their bloody cotton swab laid on the desk too? Was it wiped clean before I was seen? Did my bloody cotton swab pick up anything on that desk? I went back to question the counselor and she told me they use wipes to sanitize the surface between clients… but i didn’t see her do it. She also said they usually lay down paper towels on the table to protect the surface, but that «there weren’t any in the room» so she just bypassed that part of the protocol. Seems like she cut a corner to me. Something I was very, very unhappy hearing. Instead of leaving there relieved, I left way more anxious. Fearful that I was exposed to something and that I could have possibly been infected while being tested. And now I have to start the clock all over again before I can get retested and have peace of mind. If you go there, be watchful of their testing protocol.

Went here on a whim for a free HIV test and was in and out in about 10 minutes. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable. The rapid HIV test only takes a minute, literally. They prick your finger and have the results in 60 seconds. Quick and easy process. They even give you a copy of your results. Will def recommend this place.

whether you need a free STD test (downstairs), or an AA meeting (upstairs), this place has you covered. just don’t stop here if you simply need to use the restroom, located on the first floor. the nappy-​haired girl with the dreads behind the desk might just chew you out. and believe me, you don’t want that.

This place was great! I walked in without having to schedule an appt and out within 15 minutes for a free STD screening. They said it would take up to two weeks to receive my results. Highly recommended!

This is one location of the 3 Mazzoni locations. They offer free HIV and std testing. I did an HIV test a year ago and it was really easy. When I found out that they don’t test through oral swab or a blood draw but rather a finger prick, I was kind of scared. The nurse was really patient and kind.
Free walk-​in for HIV testing
Monday to Friday 9 – 9
Saturday 1 – 5
Free walk-​in for std testing
Tuesdays 1 – 6
Thursdays 6 – 9
Fridays 2 – 5
Saturdays 1 – 4
As part of the «know your status» campaign and to reduce the stigma of talking about HIV (
), June 27^th has become the National HIV testing day. Get tested! End hiv/​AIDS.