UAB is the Regional Resource Hospital designated by the Medical Control System. Its Emergency Department is able to offer comprehensive, 24 hour, acute medical and surgical services.
The department offers emergency consultations by telephone with outside physicians and UAB specialists.
Three characteristics distinguish this center from other emergency rooms in the area:
- 24-hour, seven-day-a-week ability to arrange immediate subspecialty surgery, such as cardiovascular surgery, neurological surgery, or orthopedic surgery, within the hospital
- 24-hour ability to provide full specialty services in all areas and immediate access to the only Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System in the state and one of three Burn Centers in the state.
- Critical Care Transport service, consisting of a jet airplane and three mobile ground units that are fully equipped as intensive care units. A physician, nurse, and respiratory therapist accompany the aircraft or mobile unit to pick up patients beginning treatment during transport.
Physicians in this unit are well equipped to provide the initial urgent treatment for critically ill patients and those with severe injuries occurring through fire, automobile accidents, industrial or firearm accidents, or mishaps resulting in severe head or spinal cord injuries.