What is a UPMC walk-in center?

When deciding where to get care for a minor illness, injury, or other symptoms, there seem to be more options than ever.

An emergency department visit is the right choice for serious, life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Going to an emergency department with mild or no symptoms may create a long wait time for you to be seen. When you have a non-life-threatening condition, you can make an in-person or online appointment with your primary care physician (PCP), or an unscheduled video visit with UPMC AnywhereCare.

Another option that might be right for you is to visit one of the UPMC Walk-In Centers.

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What Is a UPMC Walk-In Center?

As the name indicates, a UPMC Walk-In Center requires no appointment. If you are experiencing nonemergency symptoms, you can simply show up during open hours to seek treatment.

Common symptoms and medical conditions treated at a Walk-In Center include:

  • Allergies, rashes, and poison ivy.
  • Back pain.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Cuts, bumps, and bruises.
  • Earaches and eye infections.
  • Flu or cold symptoms.
  • Sinus pain or infection.
  • Sore throat.
  • Sprains.
  • Other minor medical conditions.

Walk-In Centers do not provide COVID-19 tests. For COVID-19 testing, get a referral from your PCP, and visit a UPMC COVID-19 test site or UPMC Urgent Care.

Before taking a child to a UPMC Walk-In Center for treatment, please consult the Walk-In Center information page for minimum age requirements for patients.

Should I Visit a Walk-In Center, My PCP, or the Emergency Department?

Walk-In Centers are typically best when you have any of the nonemergency conditions or symptoms listed above, or something similar. Otherwise, there are multiple options depending on the urgency and severity of the situation.

Emergency Department

If you or someone in your care has an urgent medical need, such as a life-threatening illness or injury, get immediate medical attention at the nearest Emergency Department. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Trouble breathing.
  • Heavy bleeding.
  • Pain in the arm or jaw.
  • Dizziness or weakness that does not go away.
  • Possible broken bone.
  • Deep wounds or serious burns.
  • Severe pain anywhere on the body.
  • Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, or hives.
  • High fever that does not subside with medicine.
  • Poisoning or overdose of drugs or alcohol.
  • Suicidal thoughts.

Primary Care Physician

No matter what your medical issue is, don’t put off seeking medical attention. However, if you have a PCP, sometimes it can help to make an appointment to treat minor illnesses or other symptoms.

If you are uncertain as to whether a visit to the Walk-In Center or an appointment with your PCP is right for your condition, you can always call your PCP, or message them through the UPMC patient portal app. With the messaging feature, you can submit photos of injuries or affected areas and ask questions to get the right treatment method for you.

https://www.upmc.com/services/primary-care/services/after-hours

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm

https://share.upmc.com/2021/08/5-things-to-know-about-urgent-care-before-you-go/?source=search-results_title

https://share.upmc.com/2021/12/pediatric-care-facts/?source=search-results_title

About UPMC

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, UPMC is a world-renowned health care provider and insurer. We operate 40 hospitals and 800 doctors’ offices and outpatient centers, with locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, West Virginia, and internationally. We employ 4,900 physicians, and we are leaders in clinical care, groundbreaking research, and treatment breakthroughs. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside as one of the nation’s best hospitals in many specialties and ranks UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on its Honor Roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. We are dedicated to providing Life Changing Medicine to our communities.