skip

Moving to a new area can be incredibly stressful. Don’t add to what is already an anxious time by failing to research your family’s health care options. From large health systems to smaller hospitals and clinics, the Myrtle Beach area is sure to have a facility that meets your needs. Whether you are in need of life-saving cardiac surgery, hip replacement, rehabilitation services or general surgery, learn how the Myrtle Beach area is keeping families healthy.

Four outstanding hospital systems serve the Myrtle Beach region: Conway Medical Center, Grand Strand Health, McLeod Health and Tideland Health. Each has multiple satellite facilities for urgent care and specialty services. There also are a number of nursing homes/assisted living facilities in the area that provide rehabilitation care as well.

Grand Strand Health operates four hospitals and emergency rooms in the region.

Grand Strand Medical Center is a designated Level 1 Adult and Level 2 Pediatric Trauma Center. The hospital is recognized by the Joint Commission, a leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the United States, for the following programs: chest pain, knee and hip replacement, sepsis and stroke rehabilitation. They also have received awards from the American Heart Association for treatment of heart attacks and stroke.

North Strand ER, Carolina Forest ER and South Strand Medical Center are part of the Grand Strand Health System and offer 24–hour emergency departments. The South Strand Medical center also is a home to Grand Strand Health’s advanced wound center and offers imaging, lab and behavioral health care.

Tidelands Health operates two hospitals in the region.

Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital is a 131-bed hospital that has delivered high-quality health care to the people of Georgetown and surrounding counties since 1950. It is certified by the Joint Commission in joint replacement and spine surgery and is an advanced primary stroke center.

Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital is a 124-bed that holds Joint Commission certifications in childbirth, joint replacement and spine surgery and is an advanced primary stroke center and a designated baby-friendly hospital. Tidelands Waccamaw offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, including 24-hour emergency care, critical care and general medical and surgical services. Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Emcompass Health, the region's first inpatient rehabilitation hospital, is located inside Tidelands Waccamaw.

McLeod Health covers multiple regions including the Grand Strand, Pee Dee and Brunswick County North Carolina.

McLeod Health Seacoast is a 155-bed acute care hospital with more than 30 specialties and 120 physicians.

McLeod Health Carolina Forest is a 43-acre campus to serve the growing population of the area. There are currently three buildings with plans for more. They opened a 24-hour emergency room in 2019.

McLeod Health Loris is a 50-bed hospital specializing in general surgery, women’s services, emergency care, critical care, urology and physical/occupational/speech therapies. It also has a dialysis access center.

Conway Medical Center operates a hospital as well as many satellite offices in the region.

Conway Medical Center was established in 1928 as Horry County’s first hospital and has 210 inpatient beds. It is a 24-hour emergency facility.

Emergency doctors in Horry County

When the unexpected happens and you need medical attention fast, we are here for you. The emergency room (ER) at Grand Strand Medical Center provides 24/7 support for medical emergencies, from broken bones to heart attacks.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Your choice for emergency medical services

For years, our hospital and ER have provided quality medical care for patients of all ages. Our comprehensive services and board-certified emergency specialists are available 24/7 to handle any life-threatening emergency, including chest pain and stroke symptoms.

In addition, our dedicated child-friendly ER provides specialized treatment rooms and has pediatric-trained, board-certified emergency physicians on staff.

Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center

We have a specially trained team to care for your serious emergencies. As the only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center recognized by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in Horry and Georgetown counties, our hospital has the proven expertise to save lives. We are committed to providing a higher level of care for the most critically injured patients.

ER wait times

When you need immediate medical attention, there’s nothing more important than getting the help you need as fast as possible. At Grand Strand Medical Center, we post up-to-the-minute information about our ER wait times. This information is available online, on digital billboards and via text messaging to help you choose which of our three ER locations will best meet your needs.

ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

The ER wait time represents the time it takes to see a qualified medical professional, defined as a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Physician Assistant (PA) or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP).

ER wait times represent a four-hour rolling average updated every 30 minutes, and are defined as the time of patient arrival until the time the patient is greeted by a qualified medical professional. Patients are triaged at arrival and are then seen by a qualified medical professional in priority order based on their presenting complaint and reason for the visit.

Quality ERs across the Grand Strand

Along with our main campus, we have extended our emergency coverage with an ER in the South Strand, North Strand, and Carolina Forest. These freestanding ERs provide the same quality of care for residents closer to home.

Our 24/7 ERs are ready to serve the medical needs of residents and visitors along the coast of the Grand Strand. Both facilities are staffed with board-certified emergency physicians and highly trained clinical and support personnel. All of our ER services are linked to and served by EMS, allowing for immediate response to any disaster in the community requiring expert emergency care.

When to call 911

How do you know when you should go to the ER? If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following conditions or symptoms, call 911:

• Allergic reactions to food or insect bites
• Broken bones
• Difficulty breathing
• Disorientation
• Fever that won’t go down
• Flu-like symptoms that won’t go away
• Head injury causing loss of consciousness, seizures or vomiting
• Heart attack symptoms, such as:
  • Back, jaw or neck pain accompanied by sweating
  • Chest pain
  • Left shoulder or left arm pain
  • Shortness of breath, sometimes accompanied by nausea
• Seizures
• Serious burns
• Severe bleeding
• Severe diarrhea
• Severe headache
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the arms or legs or one side of the face
• Sudden speech difficulties or trouble seeing
• Unexpected dizziness or an excruciating headache

If your symptoms don’t fit the list above, contact our Consult-A-Nurse team of registered nurses, available 24/7, at (843) 692-4444.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation specialists in Myrtle Beach

Grand Strand Health provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to help patients regain strength, range of motion and/or function following surgery or a debilitating injury. We offer a variety of rehab programs, including physical, occupational speech/language, swallowing and lymphedema therapy.

For more information about our physical therapy and rehabilitation services or to schedule an appointment, call our Consult-A-Nurse team at (843) 692-4444.

Inpatient rehabilitation center

Virtual tours

• Rehabilitation
• South Tower Entrance
• Patient Room
• Dining Room
• Gym 1
• Gym 2
• ADL Room
• Team Conference Room
• Nurses Station

Rehabilitation is a combination of medical care, therapy and education. Our goal at the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center is to help you overcome limitations brought on by an injury or illness. We want you to return to normal activities as soon as possible.

Our therapy team provides care using the latest techniques and technologies. Our program is designed to help with acute injuries and chronic conditions, such as:

• Neuromuscular disorders
• Spinal cord injuries
• Strokes (cerebrovascular accidents)
• Traumatic injuries and amputations

You are not alone when facing the challenges of rehabilitation. Our social workers meet with you and your family throughout treatment, discuss your discharge goals and provide assistance in making adjustments necessary for home and family life. All patients at our center have their own rooms and baths, ensuring plenty of privacy and rest following therapy.

Outpatient rehabilitation

Outpatient physical therapy is available at the north entrance of our Grand Strand Medical Center campus. A physician's consultation is required for outpatient physical therapy services.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy aims to restore maximum physical function and enable you to return to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible. We focus on restoring movement, relieving pain and preventing further illness and injury. Physical therapy is beneficial in the treatment of:

• Balance disorders
• Chronic pain and diseases, such as cancer
• Orthopedic issues, including sports injuries
• Traumatic injuries

Occupational therapy

Our occupational therapists help you maximize independence and safety with a focus on completing activities at home and at work. We provide:

• Customized treatment programs aimed at improving your ability to complete activities of daily living
• Comprehensive evaluations of home and work environments
• Recommendations on necessary home/work adaptations and guidance for family members and caregivers

Speech/language therapy

Speech and language therapy is often recommended after a traumatic or debilitating injury or illness that affects a person's ability to speak, such as a stroke. Our speech therapists develop individualized programs to help improve our patients':

• Cognitive abilities
• Communication abilities
• Confidence
• Independence
• Speech quality

Swallowing therapy

Swallowing therapy helps improve the overall function of swallowing, which is important for airway protection, muscle strength and eating/drinking. Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, can commonly occur in individuals who have experienced a:

• Head and neck cancer diagnosis
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury

Lymphedema therapy

Lymphedema is a condition that results in swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs. It occurs because of damage to lymph vessels or when lymph nodes are removed as part of cancer treatment. Lymphedema is separate from other forms of swelling, such as swelling following kidney failure, a cardiac condition or improper functioning of the vein valve.

Primary lymphedema

Primary lymphedema is inherited, meaning the lymphatic system does not develop properly. It can appear:

• During infancy (called Milroy’s disease, or congenital lymphedema)
• During puberty, during pregnancy or up until a person is 35 years old (called Meige’s disease, or lymphedema praecox)
• After a person is 35 years old (a rare, late-onset lymphedema that usually causes swelling only in the legs)

Secondary lymphedema

This is the most common form of lymphedema. It's caused by disruption to the drainage of the lymphatic system, which occurs with trauma.

Lymphedema symptoms

Radiation treatment, cancer surgeries and other medical conditions increase the risk for lymphedema. Common symptoms of lymphedema, which you will notice in the affected arm or leg, include:

• A feeling of heaviness or tightness
• Aching or discomfort
• Hardening and thickening of the skin (fibrosis)
• Recurring infections
• Restricted range of motion/movement
• Total or partial swelling

Lymphedema treatment

Lymphedema therapy involves a treatment phase and a maintenance phase. Treatment of lymphedema includes:

• Compression bandaging
• Following a home exercise program
• Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
• Proper skin care and continued education on how to manage lymphedema

After completing treatment and reducing the size of the affected limb, you will be measured for special garments to be worn day and night. You will also continue following your home exercise program and skin care best practices to manage lymphedema symptoms.

Urgent care centers in the Myrtle Beach area

Sometimes, a condition may need medical attention that does not require emergency care but can't wait until you can secure a doctor's appointment. That's why Grand Strand Health is proudly affiliated with CareNow® Urgent Care. These clinics offer families throughout Myrtle Beach and its surrounding communities easy access to quality walk-in medical care for minor illnesses and injuries.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

When to visit an urgent care center

It can be difficult to know when it is best to visit your doctor's office, an emergency room (ER) or an urgent care center. Some medical issues should always be treated in an ER, such as chest pain and heavy bleeding. However, the following conditions can be treated easily at an urgent care center:

• Acid reflux
• Allergic reactions (minor)
• Asthma
• Bites or stings
• Burns (minor)
• Cold or flu symptoms
• Cuts or wounds requiring stitches but are not too deep
• Earache or ear infection
• Fever
• Migraine
• Rash or hives
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Sore throat or strep throat
• Sprains or strains
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Vomiting or persistent diarrhea
• Warts

Our CareNow® locations provide the same level of professionalism you expect from Grand Strand Health. You can walk in or try Web Check-In® for quick diagnosis and treatment.

Our urgent care centers are open seven days a week, during most holidays and after regular business hours for adults and children three months old and older.

If your CareNow® physician determines you need a higher level of service, they can connect you with our family of ERs and specialists for follow-up care.