Walgreens Healthcare Clinics are the new and improved version of their “take care clinics”. It's now even easier to stop at your local Walgreens for a variety of healthcare services.
Could Have Skipped the ER
I can tell you exactly when I could have used a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic myself. It was about a year ago now and I was getting ready to go out to dinner with my family on a Friday night. My eyes had been burning and itching all day due to allergies. Not thinking about common sense at all, I was rubbing them pretty aggressively. I ended up with actual raised blisters on my eyeballs. When I looked in the mirror I thought I had mucus buildup on my eyes…. nope… there were raised sacs of fluid. Every time I blinked they felt like they might pop. Holy panic attack. This was after my eye doctor's hours, and no other physicians that I could think of would be around on a Friday night either. We went to the emergency room and sat there for a few hours.
Long story short… the doctor said it was “chemosis” due to severe irritation. He was so calm about it and acted like it was no big deal at all. He diagnosed some prescription eye drops and sent me on my way. The story doesn't end here — we then spent 3 more hours trying to find a pharmacy that had the eye drops. Seriously?!!!
Since the ER doctor was so nonplussed by my eye problem, it's probably something my local Walgreens Healthcare Clinic could have handled quickly. There's no appointment needed and there's one on practically every corner. I could have literally ran there if I wanted to. Plus, with their pharmacy in the same section, getting my prescription would have been a breeze, too.
Walgreens Healthcare Clinics
I stopped at a Walgreens near me in Oak Lawn to check out the new area. Lots of people seemed to be taking advantage of the back to school immunizations, as there was a bit of a line at first. I saw a few kids grabbing school supplies while the parents stood in line! Love the multi-tasking.
They also offer vaccines, physicals, screenings and testings. Treatments are available for a variety of illnesses, aches, pains, and skin conditions. Ongoing health conditions can be monitored at the facility, as well. All of this with no appointment. If you don't want to chance a line, check their website first. It will tell you how long the wait is.
Check-in looked like a breeze all via touchscreen computers. There was a Walgreens employee standing right in the section to help people, too. Since I wasn't actually a patient, I didn't go through the whole process, but others did so with ease.
I was pleased to see that they offer vaccines for pneumonia and shingles. I have heard of at least four people (friends of family) who have come down with shingles over the last year. Each one claims that it's the worst pain of their lives. Makes me definitely consider getting vaccinated!
I think most of us can agree that you don't often get sick during office hours. I know I never do. It's always at night or during the weekend. Or, even if you do, the doc usually can't see you right away. By the time of your appointment, you are either better, or made other arrangements (like the hospital!). Thankfully, Walgreens is giving us an answer to this problem with their new Healthcare Clinics.
Stay up to date by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following on Twitter.
Definitely check out the new Walgreens Healthcare Clinics and let me know what you think!
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Dawn Lopez says
I just can’t get over how awesome this is! So convenient!
Yikes on that eye condition.. I would freak out too.. that must have been the longest 3 hours in the waiting room ever!
Sarah BB @ East9thStreet says
I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve been a healthcare administrator for 10+ years and I moved to Chicago last August and still have NOT found a primary care physician. Walgreens healthcare clinics would be the perfect option for me!
Jennifer says
It’s hard to find a good one! My Gram has lived here for 80 years and still doesn’t have one — mainly because she doesn’t like any of them. :/ LOL
Pam says
This is a great option for those simple problems that you don’t need to go to the ER for, like sinus infections. There have been times I have been sitting in the ER with my kids who are seriously accident prone and I see someone else there with a sinus infection and think, “Wouldn’t you rather have a shorter wait time????” Of course, we do have a really good primary care doctor so that helps.
Jennifer says
Excellent point! If you aren’t too serious at the ER you will wait forever. This is definitely a better option.
Brett says
i can’t wait until ct gets the healthcare clinics at our walgreens. we NEEd them.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
How convenient is that to visit the clinic and immediately pick up a prescription if needed?!! I am calling my store today to see where the nearest one is!
Julie Wood says
I do not have this where I am at yet, but I would go and visit this clinic because I have a Walgreens very close to my house. I think this is a great thing to have because if you need a prescription for something then you can get it filled right there!
Beeb says
OMG, your poor eye! I had a look at their price list, and I could see this being an option for those who are uninsured if there aren’t other low-cost clinics around, or depending on what you need – at first glance, some of their treatments appear to be cheaper than the flat rate of a walk-in clinic in my area, for example.
Meagan says
Wow, this looks like an awesome option! Super convenient too!
Shell Feis says
OUCH about your eye! I didn’t even know that could happen! I’m glad it wasn’t a big deal. I’ve been to our take care clinic for my asthma &am impressed with all of the new service additions since becoming the healthcare clinic!
Tara says
I love how this works for I know many people that take advantage of Walgreens Clinics. I am glad your eye is ok!
Amanda @ Mommy of Two Little Monkeys says
I visit our local Walgreens for my flu shot every fall, never thought about using them for the clinic. That would have saved me some time during our last visit to the urgent care!
[email protected] The Spring Mount 6 Pack says
I have used these clinics. It is such a help. A dr visit adds up quickly.
Stefani says
I usually go to Walgreens when I need to buy over the counter medications. I am glad to know they offer other services that might come in handy.
Kristyn says
i love that Walgreens offers healthcare clinics. They are very helpful and quick depending on what you are going for.
christina moore says
I use these clinics to get mt flu shot, no waiting
Summer Davis says
OMG I cannot even believe that you got blisters ON YOUR EYEBALLS. I’m so allergic to everything and I itch my eyes like crazy too. Either my eyeballs are tougher than yours, or you rub harder than I do. Either way, I’m going to rethink rubbing my eyeballs next time I have an allergy attack! YUCK!
Jennifer says
Yep, I almost passed out! Really freaked me out!!! And if you Google “Chemosis”… mine wasn’t even that bad. It can be SO MUCH worse! Don’t rub your eyes.
Mer says
I’m never rubbing my eyes again! Sorry that happened to you, and I’m glad it’s easily fixed with eye drops. And I hope the Walgreens near me adds a healthcare clinic, as it sounds so convenient. I really love that you can check the wait time before going!
Diana C says
Oh, I’m so sorry you had to go through that! It sounds terrible. The other day I rubbed my eye and it started to puff up too. I immediately went to the sink, rinsed out my eye, put in some drops and applied ice. I think it was a minor infection, because by the evening it went down.
Diana C
Jennifer says
Thanks! Glad you were able to stop yours without having to go to the ER. Glad to know ice works, too!
Jesselyn A/Jesstinger says
Wish I’d known about this a long time ago – it could have spared us several totally unnecessary trips to the ER and THOUSANDS of dollars!
I’m kicking myself because there are like four Walgreen within a mile of us! Oh well, better late than never. Thanks for sharing!