Walk-in clinics see spike in patient numbers – patient wait times grow

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Patients at the Graves Gilbert Clinic in Bowling Green experienced a five-hour wait time this weekend at the walk in clinic, and in the mornings this week, lines of up to 30 people have waited outside the building before its opening time. 

Graves Gilbert Clinic Chief Executive Officer Chris Thorn said their walk-in clinic has seen between 50 to 80 percent more patients now versus this time last year. 

“Our doctors and staff are getting to work at 7 o’clock in the morning, and there’s 30 people in line in the parking lot waiting to sign up. We close at 7 o’clock, but we don’t get out till 9:30 at night because patients, we need to take care of them,” said Thorn.

And to make matters worse, with Kentucky’s labor force participation rate ranking at 3rd worst out of 50 states, Graves Gilbert Clinic is down about 110 employees less than they normally have. 

Graves isn’t the only clinic seeing an uptick in patients. Med Center Health’s Executive Vice President Wade Stone said their walk in clinic has seen a 50 percent increase when it comes to people walking in for Covid vaccines over the last few days.  

Along with Covid testing and vaccinations, these clinics also attribute rising numbers of strep and RSV as part of these long wait times. 

Stone also said that in early August, between 60 to 80 people walked into their clinic for Covid testing. Now, that number is between 100 to 130 patients.

“Please be patient with us. We know it can be trying at times when you’re having to wait for various services, but I can assure you we’re doing everything we can to get people through as quickly as possible whether they’re there for vaccines, to get a Covid test or to get seen for a bump or bruise or some other matter. Our providers are working as hard as they can, so I would just ask for patience on everyone’s part. I can encourage people and ask, if they’re not vaccinated already, to come out and to get that vaccine. It’s so important.” said Stone.

ZipClinic Urgent Care Director of Operations Kelsey Kirk said they’re also seeing about 40 more patients this time of year than they usually would due to Covid testing.

To manage these high numbers of people, they’re asking patients to make reservation times on their website.

“We’ve noticed that if we take walk-ins all day long, that’s when the wait times are going to be increased. So, instead, we are offering reservation times to ensure that I’ll be seeing at that time,” said Kirk. 

“I’m proud of the way our people have handled this. I’m also disappointed in the volumes.  If they’d have gotten vaccinated sooner, the issues wouldn’t be as traumatic as they are now,” remarked Thorn.