It’s not always easy to know if your medical issue requires a visit to the Emergency Department, but many minor medical situations can be handled at a Cape Fear Valley Express Care location. Express Care clinics typically have shorter wait times and cost less than going to the Emergency Department. Medical emergencies that threaten loss of life or limb should be seen in the Emergency Department. These issues include symptoms of heart attack or stroke, trouble breathing, major accidents, and symptoms that need advanced testing. An individual’s age, medical history, the time of day and other factors should also be considered when deciding between the Emergency Department and an Express Care. For example, an intense headache in someone who rarely gets headaches might be worth going to the Emergency Department, whereas the same headache in a person who suffers chronic migraines might be better handled at an Express Care clinic. Some of Cape Fear Valley Health’s Express Care clinics do have the ability to perform CT scans and ultrasounds during weekdays, and all of the Express Care clinics have access to on-site labs and can give IV fluids. Health Pavilion North Express Care and Highsmith-Rainey Express Care can also do on-site X-rays. To be safe, seek care right away when you feel you have a medical problem. If your trip to an Express Care turns out to be more serious, they will send you to the hospital. Cape Fear Valley Health’s hospital emergency departments treat all emergency situations, but are especially prepared to treat the most serious injuries and medical situations, including the following:
• Heart attack/chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Stroke/inability to move/sudden paralysis
• Loss of consciousness (passing out)
• Bleeding that can’t be stopped
• Major fracture that breaks the skin or needs to be reset
• Uncontrolled bleeding and severe cuts
• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Rash with fever
• Head injuries
• Severe burns
• Poisoning
• Seizures
• Emotional or mental health emergency
• Trauma, such as gunshot or car accident
The Express Care clinics are designed to handle less serious illnesses and medical situations on a walk-in basis. Consider visiting an Express Care for conditions that are not life-threatening but should be treated immediately, such as:
• Sprains and strains
• Sinus infections
• Ear infections
• Allergies, especially those that get worse during
certain seasons
• Minor cuts that require stitches
• Minor burns
• Non-severe headaches
• Coughs and colds
• Sore throat
• Pink eye
• Earaches
• Rash without fever
• Broken bone with intact skin and no obvious
need to reset the bone
Express Care Locations
Health Pavilion North ExpressCare
6387 Ramsey Street Unit 100
Fayetteville, NC 28311
(910) 615-3879
7 days a week - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Highsmith-Rainey ExpressCare
150 Robeson Street
Fayetteville, NC 28311
(910) 615-1220
7 days a week - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bladen Medical Associates ExpressCare
107 E. Dunham Street
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
(910) 862-2122
7 days a week - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.