Birmingham’s Trusted Provider for Emergency Care
The UAB Medical West Emergency Department is a Level 3 Trauma Center designed to provide emergency care to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. We operate a 17-bed unit, with a four-bed overflow unit used for our less acute care patients. The Emergency Department is located on the ground floor of the UAB Medical West Main Hospital.
The Emergency Department (ED) Care Team
Our ED Care Team is staffed with skilled faculty and staff who are specially trained to handle this emergency environment. Working hand in hand to care for our patients are the many other specialists we have, including pharmacists, lab technicians, patient care technicians, unit clerks, and x-ray technicians. Our nurse-to-patient ratio averages 4:1, and we have the ability to provide one-on-one care when acuity rises. Our team provides emergency medicine care 24 hours a day, and we strive to limit wait times at our medical center.
The ED Care Team is not limited to hospital staff. In fact, family members and loved ones play a vital role in the care and recovery of patients. These individuals offer necessary emotional support during dire times. Additionally, they may be involved in the decision-making process concerning a patient’s treatment at the UAB trauma center at UAB Medical West.
Our Triage System Designed for You
Triage is the process used to prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition. Upon arrival at The UAB Medical West Emergency Department, the patient will be assessed by a Registered Nurse. The patient is then assigned an acuity level based on the RN’s assessment. To establish the acuity levels, UAB Medical West utilizes the Emergency Severity Index (ESI).
ESI is a five-tier triage system that allows for a more detailed assessment of each patient’s chief complaint and the corresponding resources needed. This system helps emergency department staff rapidly identify patients needing immediate medical attention and those who could be seen more efficiently in the overflow unit.
Acuity Levels
*resources indicate any test, treatment or procedure that may need to be administered (i.e. lab tests, x-rays, exams)
Visitor Information
Free parking is available immediately in front of the Emergency Department. Because these spaces are limited, we ask that multi-vehicle families utilize the parking deck behind the emergency department building.
As a courtesy to our patients receiving treatment, we ask that you refrain from cell phone use in the patient care areas. Please place your devices on vibrate or silent mode. We will gladly assist you with the use of one of our emergency department phones if needed.
For health and sanitation purposes, food or drink is prohibited from the patient care areas. The UAB Medical West staff will provide the necessary diet to patients during their stay in the emergency room.
Due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Privacy Laws, UAB Medical West may not release patient information to the public. In the case of family members, the ED nurse will provide a unique code word. This word may be used to gain information about the status of the patient.
Meet the Team
Carson Penkava, MD
Carson Penkava, MD
Education
David M. Fuller, MD
David M. Fuller, MD
Dr. Fuller’s interests include motorcycles, water sports, and spending time with his three sons.
Education
David P. Denney, MD
David P. Denney, MD
David Denney, M.D., originally from Opp, Alabama, is an Emergency Medicine Physician at UAB Medical West Hospital in Bessemer, AL. He is also Medical Director of Bessemer Emergency Physicians at the hospital. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University and went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He completed both his internship and residency at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, AL.
Education
Derek A. Patterson, MD
Derek A. Patterson, MD
Education
Heinz Dueffer, MD
Heinz Dueffer, MD
Education
Kristian Gratton, PA-C
Kristian Gratton, PA-C
Education
Molly Reeves, CRNP
