Now open on Sundays, two evenings weekly
The new walk-in clinic on the ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca campus is expanding its hours.
The clinic, which opened in November, will now be open on Sundays and stay open longer on two evenings a week.
“The clinic fills a key need in the community by providing convenient, cost-effective after-hour healthcare services to area residents,” said Kathleen Markofski, administrator of ThedaCare Physicians-Waupaca. “We’ve had such a great response that we are expanding our hours.”
The walk-in clinic, which treats patients ages 3 months and older, treats a wide range of minor medical conditions, including fever, cough, sinus pain, sore throat, cold and flu symptoms, ear infections and nausea/vomiting.
Additional conditions treated extend to insect bites, rashes, minor infections and muscle and joint strains. Certified physician assistants Tammy Elgersma, Kara Enerson and Heidi Schaefer see patients at the clinic, 710 Riverside Drive, Waupaca.
The walk-in clinic is open Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
The walk-in clinic is also open from 8 a.m. to noon on Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Before the walk-in clinic opened, Enerson said some patients went to ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca’s emergency department if they needed care after the clinic closed or if ThedaCare Physicians-Waupaca did not have any available appointments.
“The walk-in clinic provides quick access for residents who need to see a healthcare provider that day,” she said. “Patients are happier since they are seen more quickly and don’t have to risk a significant wait or the higher cost of going to the emergency room.”
Elgersma said parents who need to bring their children in after school and people who can only come in after work appreciate the expanded hours.
“The walk-in clinic really strives to see patients when they need to be seen,” she said, adding that lab and x-ray services are available on site, which helps the patient’s visit flow smoothly.
The clinic is open to everyone, not just patients of ThedaCare Physicians.
“During the summer, I’m sure the area’s many visitors will appreciate that open door feature,” Schaefer said. “People visiting the area can come to the walk-in clinic if they get sick or injured on vacation rather than going to the emergency department.”
Patients should bring a list of their medications when they visit the walk-in clinic. Once patients receive care, staff members will help them coordinate any necessary follow-up visits with their primary care physician.
Waupaca’s walk-in clinic is the latest offering by ThedaCare to provide care to patients when and where they need it.
Last year, ThedaCare began offering e-visits, which allow patients to be “seen” by their primary care physician for a list of ailments, including influenza, pink eye, urinary tract infections and more, by logging into their secure MyThedaCare account and answering a series of questions. The provider will respond that day with a care plan, including calling in a prescription if needed.