Thank you for trusting UPMC with your care. Your doctor has asked that you complete a screening for COVID-19 before your surgery/procedure.
We know that there are an unknown number of people who do not have symptoms during an active COVID-19 infection. We call this “asymptomatic." Screening patients who do not have symptoms but carry the virus may be important for some procedures. It helps to determine if we should delay the procedure and to understand the risks of the procedure should you become sick later.
Your doctor recommends that you have this screening done. If you choose not to, you may still be able to have your procedure. However, it will depend on further discussion with your doctor.
If you screen positive, you and your doctor will talk about your specific situation and make the best decision for you. You will decide together whether to delay or move forward with your procedure. If you have the procedure, we will take steps to keep everyone as safe as possible using all precautions.
If your procedure is scheduled at:
Your testing will occur the same day as your procedure and you do not need to schedule screening in advance.
If your procedure is NOT scheduled at a facility listed above, you will need to go to a UPMC COVID-19 specimen collection site.
Call to schedule your screening at a UPMC COVID-19 specimen collection site (testing center) 3 to 4 days before your procedure.
3 to 4 days before your procedure
Go to a UPMC COVID-19 specimen collection site. Plan to spend less than 10 to 20 minutes in the specimen collection center. All facilities are safe and sanitized regularly.
1 day before your procedure
You will either receive a call from, or you will be asked to call, the pre-procedure department to confirm your arrival time for the day of your procedure.
How to Schedule Your Screening
Call your preferred specimen collection site and provide the following information. Let them know you are calling to schedule “asymptomatic” COVID-19 screening.
- Doctor performing the surgery/procedure
- Date of your surgery/procedure
- Where you want to go for screening
- Recommended screening date