Emily Van Dyke, 15, is examined by Luanne Parks, DNP, FNP-BC, at the Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic at Ludington Hospital as her mom, Julie, looks on.
Emily Van Dyke, 15, is examined by Luanne Parks, DNP, FNP-BC, at the Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic at Ludington Hospital as her mom, Julie, looks on. (Sue Brown | Spectrum Health Beat)

Having wisdom teeth removed has become a rite of passage for most teenagers.

While minor pain, swelling and discomfort are a normal part of the healing process, there are rare instances when complications may occur.

Emily Van Dyke, 15, of Ludington, Michigan, had the routine surgery on a Thursday afternoon. By the weekend, the swelling and pain continued to get worse. Her mother, Julie, called the oral surgeon’s office, but it would be several days before the doctor could see Emily at his office.

Knowing that the situation wasn’t severe enough to go to the emergency room, Julie decided to take her daughter to the Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.

“Emily was in a lot of pain and had developed a fever,” Julie said. “We went to Convenient Care for some advice and walked out 10 minutes later with a prescription to treat an infection that had developed.”

Van Dyke not only appreciates the convenience of the walk-in clinic, but also the compassion.

“Everyone was very caring,” she said. “They understood the issue and saw the sense of urgency as soon as they saw the swelling on Emily’s face.”

The Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic is intended for people who feel ill or have minor injuries, but don’t require emergency care. Patients are able to get immediate medical attention without an appointment.

Another person who benefited from the clinic is Lexi Alvesteffer. The Ludington resident experienced symptoms consistent with strep throat and decided to use Convenient Care.

“My primary care doctor can be difficult to get into and, in the past, didn’t do strep tests in their office so I would have to go to the hospital for the test and then wait for the results,” Alvesteffer said.

She got right into the Convenient Care clinic and the provider performed a throat culture in the office that came back positive for strep. She received a prescription for antibiotics.

Anyone may use the Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic regardless of insurance status or whether they have a primary care physician. For those with a physician, the medical record from the visit is coordinated back to their provider.