NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new online tool from The Little Clinic enhances the no-appointment-needed convenience of the in-store health clinic.

The Kroger Co. retail clinic operator has launched “We’ll Hold Your Spot,” a service that enables patients to reserve a place in line via The Little Clinic website before they go to the clinic.

The tool can be used for visits to all 215 Little Clinics inside Kroger, Dillons, Fry’s, Jay C and King Soopers supermarkets in 10 states.

Patients can hold a spot on line via TheLittleClinic.com.

“In today’s market, consumers want quality care, but they want it on their schedule,” Margaret Lewis, innovation manager of The Little Clinic, said in a statement. “This initiative is just another example of how The Little Clinic is a leader in being responsive to our valued patients by providing them an easier way to access healthcare so they can continue to live healthy lives.”

To reserve a spot in line, customers go online to TheLittleClinic.com and select their clinic location via a link at the top of the page. They then will see what the current wait time is at that location and can click on “We’ll Hold Your Spot” to save their place in line. Clicking will provide basic information, a registration code and an approximate time to come to the clinic.

“The premise of our company is to serve the well-being of our customers, and ‘We’ll Hold Your Spot’ does just that,” Lewis added. “We don’t require patients to use this tool, and walk-ups are always welcome. For those, however, who want to go ahead and reserve a place in line before heading to the clinic, this is a new customer-friendly, easy-to-use option.”

The Little Clinic locations are staffed with board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who can diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions for many common illnesses such as bronchitis, sinus infections, seasonal allergies and the flu. The clinics also provide a range of wellness services such as physicals, health screenings, smoking cessation and immunizations and are open seven days a week, including evenings.

The Little Clinic said it grew by nearly 15% last year. Its retail health clinics are in Kroger stores in Indiana, Mississippi, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio; King Soopers stores in Colorado; Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona; Dillons stores in Kansas; and Jay C stores in Indiana.