Unique Hybrid Model Will be One of the First of its Kind in The State
Beaufort Memorial is continuing to expand access to care in southern Beaufort County, announcing today a key partnership with Intuitive Health and MUSC Health to establish a hybrid emergency room and urgent care facility on the southern end Hilton Head Island.
Beaufort Memorial Emergency & Urgent Care, one of the first hybrid facilities of its kind in the state, is a crucial step for Beaufort Memorial in its ongoing commitment to meeting the need for care on Hilton Head Island.
Beaufort Memorial recognizes the growing need and lack of access on the Island for both urgent care and emergency care services. This facility will bring that urgently needed care to residents closer to home.
“We are excited to announce that Beaufort Memorial is continuing to uphold its promise to expand care in southern Beaufort County,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “This is a groundbreaking model and huge step forward in innovative health care, improving both overall patient experience and access to both emergency and urgent care services for patients in Hilton Head.”
The hospital closed on the property at 1016 William Hilton Parkway in Fall 2024. Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the doors scheduled to open next winter.
When a patient arrives at the facility, they will be examined and triaged to the appropriate level of care, removing the burden for patients who may not know where to go. The facility will be staffed with emergency-trained, board-certified physicians and nurses, and fully-equipped like a traditional hospital emergency room. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can bring patients directly to the hybrid facility, which will accommodate ambulances onsite.
“We are pleased to be able to provide enhanced access to emergency and urgent care services to the residents and visitors of the Hilton Head Island community,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., CEO, MUSC Health and vice president for Health Affairs, University. “When a patient experiences a sudden health concern, they want the best quality care as quickly as possible. A facility with both a freestanding emergency room and urgent care services ensures that patients get access to the care they need in a timely manner.”
Intuitive Health is a Texas-based medical group that partners with health systems like Beaufort Memorial to develop a two-prong emergency and urgent care model, making for a more streamlined process for patient care. They’re working with MUSC Health on several other similar facilities across the state.
“We're excited to bring our unique ER and urgent care model to South Carolina," said Intuitive Health CEO Thom Herrmann. "We aim to continue to set a new standard for accessible value-based care with this new partnership."
This facility will combine the capabilities of an emergency room and convenience of an urgent care with the pricing based on the level of care necessary. Every patient will be seen by a physician trained in emergency medicine, and if it’s determined that the patient doesn’t need emergency-level care, they then are treated with urgent care services and walk out with a bill to match.
Open 24/7, Beaufort Memorial Emergency & Urgent Care will also be equipped with onsite lab equipment and an imaging suite with an X-ray and multi-slice CT scanners. Patients can expect walk-in convenience and shorter wait times compared to a traditional emergency room visit, saving time, money and peace of mind.
“This hybrid facility is an example of Beaufort Memorial’s commitment to smart, innovative expansion,” Baxley said. “We plan to continue improving access to high-quality health care in the growing Lowcountry, and this facility will bring that care to the residents of the Island.”