Cone Health and Guilford County launched North Carolina’s first behavioral health urgent care center, reducing hospital stays, emergency department visits, and health disparities. The Guilford County Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center offers comprehensive services, including crisis intervention, without requiring emergency department visits. With a focus on patient outcomes, satisfaction, and cost reduction, the center provides a safe and inclusive environment, featuring amenities like an indoor courtyard and natural light, while combating the stigma surrounding behavioral health treatment.
In 2021, Cone Health and Guilford County collaborated to establish North Carolina’s first behavioral health urgent care center. This innovative initiative has led to a significant reduction in hospital stays and emergency department visits for behavioral health issues while simultaneously addressing health disparities.
The integration of behavioral health services has consistently proven to enhance patient outcomes, increase satisfaction among patients and providers, and reduce costs. Cone Health, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and in partnership with Guilford County, has successfully achieved these goals through the establishment of The Guilford County Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center in 2021—a groundbreaking initiative in the state.
The center offers a comprehensive range of behavioral health care services, including crisis intervention, without the need for emergency department visits. Its facilities comprise an urgent care unit, a 16-bed crisis center for adults, an on-site pharmacy, outpatient services, and a peer-support living room. The living room serves as an inclusive space where individuals, regardless of appointments or diagnoses, can receive guidance, support, and education from licensed peer support specialists. Designed to provide a safe and therapeutic environment, the center features amenities such as an indoor courtyard and ample natural light, creating a conducive atmosphere for the specialized care provided by the dedicated team of behavioral health experts. Notably, the building intentionally avoids conspicuous behavioral health signage, which plays a crucial role in reducing the stigma associated with seeking treatment.
