News

ER Visits Skyrocket

Sutter Express Care Clinics Provide Simple, Affordable Alternative

SACRAMENTO, Calif., August 8, 2008 - Emergency rooms are increasingly crowded. The number of hospital emergency department visits nationwide jumped a whopping 32 percent from 1996-2006, according to a newly released report from the National Center for Health Statistics.

One reason for the rise is people flocking to hospitals with minor illnesses like the flu, earaches and strep-throat. Such conditions can easily be diagnosed and treated in the Sacramento region at Sutter Express Care medical clinics which offer walk-in (no appointment) service inside six area Rite Aid stores.

“Each clinic is staffed by a highly trained clinician,” says Thomas Atkins, M.D., medical director of Sutter Express Care. “The clinics are designed to allow easy access and prompt affordable care for patients with common illnesses; thereby freeing up crowded emergency rooms.”

The price for most visits is a flat fee of $63 – far less than emergency rooms or urgent care clinics. Visits are about 20 minutes.

Since its initial clinic opening in early 2007, Sutter Express Care has treated over 19,000 patients. And the patients appear to be very satisfied with the service; 99 percent of them say they would return. The clinics are located in Roseville, Green Haven, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Natomas.

No insurance is necessary, but many health plans are accepted. Anyone 18 months or older is welcome, including those who do not have a Sutter physician. The clinics are open seven days a week with extended hours on weeknights.

Sutter Express Care is part of the Sutter Health family of physicians, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers. For more information, visit www.SutterExpressCare.com.

Editor’s note: Emergency Department Summary report from the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC)

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Sutter Health Contact

Pete Dzwilewski, Sutter Express Care
(916) 286-8249
(916) 286-6681
DzwileP@SutterHealth.org