Do You Know Where to Go for Summer Health Woes?

ExpressCare v. Emergency Department

Sunburn, skinned knees, bug bites, and rashes that you have been scratching more than your head…these are the hallmarks of summer. Unfortunately, for many people so are broken bones, cuts that require stitches and the dreaded summer cold. 

Fortunately, readers of this newsletter have two solid options for dealing with summer health woes when their regular doctor is not available: SVMC’s ExpressCare and the Kendall Emergency Department.

Understanding the difference between the urgent care provided at ExpressCare and the care offered at the Emergency Department is key to getting the right care in the timeliest manner.

The biggest differences between ExpressCare and the Emergency Department is the severity of the health issues they treat and the hours they are open.

ExpressCare is open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is ideal for issues you would normally feel comfortable addressing with your primary care doctor. Staffed with physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses who can order basic labs and imaging to help formulate diagnosis and treatment plans, ExpressCare often offers shorter wait times than the Emergency Department. Like the Emergency Department, you do not need an appointment to see a provider at ExpressCare.

The Emergency Department is open 24/7 and is staffed and equipped to treat life- or limb-threatening health conditions. When you require immediate medical attention for a potentially serious condition, the Emergency Department is the best option. 

Still not sure where to go? Refer to the graphic below for a list of common issues presented at ExpressCare and the Emergency Department.

Dr. Adam Cohen, Medical Director of the Kendall Emergency Department at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center