MIDDLEBURY — Porter Medical Center is preparing to open this month its “Porter Express Care” clinic that will serve people requiring immediate medical services, but who do not require the resources of an emergency department.
Tom Beauregard, PA-C, is one of the healthcare providers who will be working at the new clinic, which is being built into a 1,600-square-foot space within Porter’s Collins Building.
“Our primary goal is to increase healthcare access for the people of our community,” Beauregard said. “We believe that this new clinical addition will harmoniously supplement the high-quality healthcare services our patients have come to expect for their acute care needs. 
Beauregard said it is a natural question to ask, “When should I come to Porter Express Care versus going to the Emergency Department?” As such, he provided some examples to guide members of the community:
Conditions that should come to Porter Express Care are:
•  Simple sprains/strains to the extremities.
•  Minor cuts that may need stiches.
•  Common illness, such as; sore throat, coughs, urinary tract infections, and pink eye.
Conditions that may need attention in the Emergency Room are:
•  Chest pain.
•  Abdominal pain.
•  Difficulty breathing.
•  Headaches.
•  Any complaint that has severe pain that may need emergent medication to relieve it.
“We, at Porter Express Care, understand that this can often be confusing to patients,” Beauregard said. “In the event that we feel your condition exceeds our ability to be appropriately managed at Porter Express Care, we will arrange for seamless transfer to the Emergency Room.”
He added that the Porter Express staff was excited about this new service and looks forward to the opening of the clinic soon.