By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—The wait is finally over, and Brookwood Medical Center’s freestanding emergency department on U.S. 280 is ready to open. The 12-bed, 25,000 square-foot facility will open to patients at 7 a.m. on Nov. 30.

The state-of-the-art emergency department is fitted with the latest technology and designed to maximize efficiency of treatment, Brookwood Medical Center Director of Emergency Services Dr. Conrad Brown said.

“It’s high-technology and state-of-the-art, not only with our equipment but with our supplies and documentation system,” Brown said. “It’s quicker, faster, more efficient, quality service.”

The nearly $20 million facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has the capability to treat a wide range of conditions, from occupational injuries, to infectious diseases, to trauma.

“We’re able to treat all cases, from cardiac arrest, to overdoes, to strokes, to seizures,” Brown said.

Upon entering the facility, walk-in patients are greeted by a spacious waiting room, filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furniture and complete with two electronics charging stations.

“We wanted an open area for patients to come in, because they’re already feeling ill, injured or sad when they arrive,” Brown said.

Patients check in at a greeting station and then are immediately taken in for treatment. Registration brought to the patients and completed bedside.

“We do immediate bedding, we take to you treatment immediately,” Brown said. “It’s totally hassle free, just bring yourself here and we’ll take care of the rest.”

Patients transported by ambulance arrive through a different entrance and are directed to the proper treatment room. Patients suffering from critical conditions, from cardiac arrest to major injuries, are brought to the trauma room.

Patients with infectious disease are directed to a negative pressure room designed to keep the illness contained.

If a critical patient requires further treatment, such as an operation, a helipad and helicopter are available to transport the patient on the four-minute trip to Brookwood’s main campus in Homewood.

“They never have to go to another emergency room,” Brown said, noting patient records are seamlessly sent to the main facility so the patient can be treated immediately.

In addition to the trauma room and negative pressure room, the emergency department is also fitted with a triage room, gynecology-specific room and two specially designed mental health rooms.

Strategically placed nurses stations allow for ease of treatment and constant monitoring of patient vitals.

Brookwood’s freestanding emergency department is also equipped with x-ray machines, a 64-slice computed tornography scan, a magnetic resonance imaging machine, a DXA scan and an ultrasound. Twenty-four hour ambulance service, a lab and a pharmacy are located on-site as well.

Around 80 medical personnel, including physicians, registered nurses, lab technicians and radiology technicians, staff the emergency department.

“Remember, we don’t close!” Brown said.

Tenet Healthcare Southern Regional CEO Garry Gause sparked the vision for the freestanding emergency department more than 12 years ago. At the time, there were no other freestanding emergency departments in Alabama.

“It was his vision and Brookwood’s,” Brown said.

Eight years of legal battles ensued while Brookwood worked to receive a Certificate of Need from the state.

After years of planning and work, the facility will officially open to patients at 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, following a short prayer service. The emergency department is located at 7131 Cahaba Valley Road, just off of U.S. 280.

“(The staff) is ready. We’ve been doing drills,” Brown said. “They’re waiting for Monday morning.”