Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care Wheaton

"First off, they have no idea how to take your blood pressure which should of been my first clue they are incompetent. Then, you see a nurse practioner who can't come up with a diagnosis so can't prescribe any medication for your symptoms. So they tell you to go home and drink some tea. Is this really Northwestern Medical?"

"First time here for immediate care. I came in to the building and looked around for immediate care sign but couldn’t find the sign. Saw people were waiting in one of the offices and came in to ask. Immediately when I came in, the receptionist, sitting close to the door, stared down on me and asked me “are you with her?” with a demeanor. I told her no and ask her if this office is for immediate care. Without answering my question, she continued with her demeanor and saying “you must sign in” but then changed her mind and told me to go next table. After I checked in with the receptionist next table, I intentionally set in front of the demeanor receptionist to observe her. I realized that she talks to color people with similar attitude. Unfortunately, I didn’t ask for her name so I can mention in this review. I believe she is in a wrong profession and shouldn’t be qualified for this type of job. Besides, why Northwestern is using doctor’s assistant and charging their patients as doctor rate?"

"The day before this visit, I had gone to a walk in clinic for a cold I had been fighting for over 2 weeks. The NP at this clinic prescribed a strong antibiotic. What I wasn't told was to take a probiotic two hours after I took the antibiotic. Instead, I took both together and a few hours later, I was stricken with severe vomiting. The next morning, my husband drove me to Northwestern and we arrived at 8:05a.m. I guess other patients arrived well before opening time because we waited until 9:30a.m. to be called in. The lady who checked me in was very friendly. The doctor was helpful and she answered all my questions. I was then told that I didn't need the antibiotic after all and that I had some water in my ear and not to worry about it. She prescribed a few other prescriptions to give me relief and something for the nausea and vomiting. I don't know how many Doctors they have working a shift, however, they need more to decrease the wait time. Update: I ended up going to the Minute Clinic on 4/10/23 because my left ear was bothering me. It turned out I had an ear infection and acute bronchitis and was prescribed a different antibiotic. This has been going on for five weeks and still I'm not 100%. Maybe I should have taken the initial antibiotic after all."

"The nurse was rude. He cut me off when I was trying to answer his questions. He had horrible bedside manner and clearly did not have experience with children. I understand this was not a pediatrician's office, but there are simple skills and strategies. Northwestern could train immediate care staff who are likely going to treat many children to help improve their experience. It was very traumatizing for my 1-year-old and I fear that he will be afraid of doctors visits in the future due to this visit. Looking back, I wish I would have just told him to stop and either leave or ask for the doctor immediately. I understand he was trying to follow standard procedures, however, my son was so upset and worked up by the time the doctor got in that he could not even evaluate him for the reasons we were actually there. The doctor and the front desk staff were much kinder, more patient/flexible, and I had much better interactions with them as well as my son's response to them. This is the only reason I gave two stars. Northwestern, I urge you to make some changes as my experience is clearly not unique based on the other reviews that I've now read for not only this location but the other Northwestern immediate care locations as well."

"The website has the current wait time which was accurate to how long I waited. Dr Walton was really a wonderful, compassionate, caring doctor. The nurse and receptionist were both very kind as well. Despite how busy they were, it felt like everyone really cared and took their time with you."