Close quarters, stress, late nights and risky behavior often leave college students prone to illness, but AU students have options both on- and off-campus to meet their health care needs.
On-campus, every AU student has access to the Student Health Center. For situations off-campus or not covered by the Student Health Center's capabilities, students have the option of going to either Sibley Memorial Hospital or Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Md.
The Student Health Center receives over 15,000 visits each year, and some of the most common diagnoses include upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, colds, strains and sprains, fatigue and acne, according to Student Health Center Director Dan Bruey.
The Student Health Center has the capacity to screen for rapid mononucleosis, rapid strep, HIV, pregnancy and tuberculosis, according to Bruey. Part-time psychiatric services are also available.
"Services are usually limited to diagnostic assessment and screening and an initiation of treatment in uncomplicated cases, [like cases of anxiety or depression that are not severe] where it can be anticipated that the situation will resolve quickly," Bruey said.
The health center Web site lists 13 staff members, including Bruey. Of the 13 staff members, three are licensed registered nurses and one is a licensed physician assistant. A full-time doctor will also begin at the Student Health Center this fall, according to Bruey. Health Educators and Patient Services comprises the rest of the staff.
Not all students say they find the Student Health Center adequate for their needs. In some cases, students have had to seek health care from other venues after trips to the health center.
Kristen Luppino, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs, went to Sibley Memorial Hospital after the Student Health Center failed to diagnose her case of bronchitis. Luppino typically suffers from bronchitis twice a year, she said.
"The guy that helped me out was very friendly, but he didn't listen to me," Luppino said. "He was convinced that I have allergies, which I have no history of, or had a cold and therefore prescribed me Robitussin."
The next day she missed class and walked with a friend to Sibley Memorial Hospital, which is about two miles away from AU. Upon arriving, she was given a mask because of her frequent and excessive coughing. After talking with doctors, Luppino received the medicine she needed, and the condition cleared in a couple days.
"The Student Health Center is good if you have an allergy, a cold, [need] contraception or something basic," Luppino said. "As far as bigger stuff goes, like if I was worried I might have mono or bronchitis or something along those lines, I'd go straight to Sibley."
Sibley Memorial Hospital is a non-profit, full service hospital and includes an assisted-living residence on the grounds. Sibley's areas of expertise are surgery, orthopedics and oncology, according to the hospital's Web site.
The Emergency Department is open 24 hours, every day of the year.
The Student Health Center also has a partnership with Suburban Hospital in Bethesda if students need medical assistance outside of regular business hours. Suburban Hospital, another non-profit hospital roughly five miles from AU, maintains an on-call hotline for students to receive instructions and assistance. Nurses are available 24 hours a day to assist students. After the student describes his or her symptoms, the nurse will recommend a course of treatment, including follow-up with an emergency room, the Student Health Center, over-the-counter medications or another course of treatment, according to Bruey.
The health center's Web site advises students to notify their resident assistant or resident director of any emergencies.
"If a student is having an emergency and they are on campus, they should call Public Safety, and if they are having an emergency off campus, they should call 911," Bruey said.
