ERs, Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinics and 24-Hour Pharmacies: Where to Go When It Can’t Wait Until Morning

emergencyroomI try to avoid doctors and hospitals at all costs, many times choosing a Band-Aid, Neosporin and a prayer versus visiting a medical facility. However, there are times when you have a medical problem that a Band-Aid just can’t right. In such cases, if your doctor’s office is closed, short of ringing your neighbor’s bell who happens to be an M.D., you basically have three options and 9-1-1. First, CVS has pioneered MinuteClinics. Staffed by nurse practioners (N.P.), the clinics can handle minor medical problems that just can’t wait. One step up from that are the urgent care facilities. Usually staffed by M.D.s or P.A.s, they offer care for conditions not necessating an ER, but more than MinuteClinic can tackle. Finally, there are ERs for severe life-threatening conditions. Depending on your location and situation, you can either drive to an ER or dial 9-1-1. I’ve included also information on where to take children after hours, as well as a listing of 24-hour pharmacies in the area. Don’t forget to check your health insurance coverage to learn about co-pays and deductibles now so you won’t have to stop and think about this when you are heading out the door.

Emergency Rooms (ER)

White Plains Hospital
41 East Post Road
White Plains, NY 10601
914-681-0600
http://www.wphospital.org/

White Plains Hospital unveiled its “Emergency Room of the Future” in January 2010, called the Flanzer Center for Emergencies and Critical Care. The center provides state-of-the-art emergency and critical care for more than 48,000 patients per year, making it the most active hospital emergency room in Westchester County. The ER department has a 30-Minute ER Promise (patients can be seen by a healthcare professional within 30 minutes of arrival).

Lawrence Hospital Center
55 Palmer Avenue,
Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 787-1000
www.lawrencehealth.org

Just off the Bronx River Parkway, Lawrence has board-certified emergency medicine physicians who work solely in the emergency department and all of its ER physicians are trained in pediatric emergency care. The hospital offers a pediatrician onsite in the emergency department during the busiest times of the day and on weekends. In 2006, the hospital qualified as a NY State Department of Health designated stroke center. Last, the hospital’s emergency department was recently expanded and renovated. It now features three triage rooms, a prompt care facility, an admissions unit, and a new waiting and reception area.

Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinics

Doctors Express
Address: 359 North Central Avenue Hartsdale, NY 10530

Phone: 914-448-2273
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 am- 8 pm
Saturday, Sunday: 8 am- 5 pm
http://www.doctorsexpress.com/

Doctors Express is part of a national network. The center provides our area with a state-of-the-art urgent care center that bridges the gap between primary care physicians and the emergency room, handling non life-threatening medical conditions. All patients are seen by an experienced doctor with an average wait time of approximately 15-25 minutes.

PM Pediatrics and Mount Sinai Pediatric Subspecialty Practice
620 East Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, NY
Phone (914) 777-KIDS (5437)
Hours: Monday-Friday 5 pm-midnight weekends and holidays noon to midnight

Mount Sinai Pediatric Subspecialty Practice
Open Wednesdays, 8 am-1 pm
(914) 885-2525

PM Pediatrics offers a full spectrum of care, and the doctors and nurse practioners have the ability to diagnose and treat all but the most critical medical issues. Wait times average about 20 minutes. PM Pediatrics shares space with Mount Sinai Pediatric Subspecialty Practice on Wednesdays. The practice includes pediatric cardiology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric orthopaedics, and pediatric endocrinology

MinuteClinic
CVS Pharmacy #2432

375 White Plains Rd
Eastchester, NY, 10709-2826
Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm; Sunday 10 am to 5:30 pm

Practitioners take a daily required lunch break from approximately 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Monday – Friday and 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm Saturdays–Sundays.

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide treatment for common family illnesses and injuries, administer vaccinations, conduct physicals and wellness screenings, and offer monitoring for chronic conditions. Practitioners can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for strep throat, bladder infections, pink eye and ear, nose and throat infections. Services also provided include sports and camp physicals, smoking cessation and TB testing.

White Plains Urgent Care
10 Chester Avenue

White Plains, NY 10601

(914) 448-1000
Hours: M-F 9 am-7 pm
Saturday/Sunday 9 am-3 pm
http://www.whiteplainsurgentcare.com/

White Plains Urgent Care is located just blocks away from White Plains Hospital and provides immediate medical care for illnesses that are not life threatening. The center provides many services including prescription and medication refills for travelers and patients unable to reach their primary care physicians. The clinic is staffed by board certified physicians in internal medicine and accepts appointments.

24-Hour Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy452 Mamaroneck AveWhite Plains, NY 10605(914) 686-0226http://www.cvs.co`m

CVS Pharmacy
1310 Boston Post Road
Larchmont, NY 10538
(914) 833-3001
http://www.cvs.com

Walgreens
1230 Nepperhan Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
914-969-7944
http://www.walgreens.com