SWMC News

Emergency and Urgent Care Wait Times Now Available Online
Jul 14, 2016

(ST. JOSEPH) – Emergency Department and Walk-in Clinic wait times are now available on the Lakeland Health website. Wait times are updated frequently allowing visitors to view the average amount of time they may have to wait between entering the facility and when they will see a provider at each location. Patients with life-threatening emergencies will always receive immediate care.

“The focus of this initiative was on convenience and access for all patients,” said Ray Cruse, Vice President, Business Strategy and Hospitality Services. “By being transparent about how long the expected wait time is to see a medical provider, it allows patients to make a more educated decision about where they choose to receive care – even if that means driving to a Lakeland facility farther from their home to be seen in a more timely manner.”

Walk-in Clinics are for illnesses that cannot wait until the next business day, but may not require the full resources of a hospital Emergency Department such as: asthma, allergies, body aches, colds or sinus infections, fevers, headaches, minor burns and cuts, nausea or vomiting, pink eye, and urinary tract infections, among others. For serious injuries and medical emergencies such as chest pain, head injury or broken bones, major burns, poisoning, seizures, severe allergic reactions, or uncontrollable bleeding, among others, call 9-1-1 or go directly to an Emergency Department.

Lakeland Emergency Departments are located in the St. Joseph, Niles, and Watervliet hospitals and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Walk-in Clinics are located at Southwestern Medical Clinic in Niles and Stevensville and inside Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet. Walk-in Clinic hours vary by location and are listed online.