Emergency Services

We provide the highest level of emergency care for adult and pediatric trauma, burns and other serious emergencies. Our board-certified emergency medicine physicians specialize in trauma care and work together with our trauma surgeons to handle any medical emergency.

As a Level I Trauma Center, a nationally accredited chest pain center and an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center, patients receive the highest level of care in our emergency department. This includes critically ill patients who may be experiencing:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Poison
• Frostbite
• Psychiatric and psychological disorders

Trauma care

Our highly trained trauma surgeons are on site 24/7. These critical care specialists are board-certified intensivists and provide the most advanced and comprehensive care to critically injured patients. As the region’s most experienced nationally verified Level I Trauma Center, we specialize in high-acuity patients with complex, multisystem injuries including:

• Burns – chemical, electrical, flame and scald
• Car accidents
• Falls
• Traumatic brain injury
• Gunshot or stab wounds
• Concussion

Helipads provide direct access

Our 3 helipads allow direct access to the ED from the hospital roof. The newest helipad can support a 30,000-pound military helicopter that may carry the U.S. president, vice president or other government officials. The helipad features a fire-suppression system and illumination for landing by night-vision goggles.

Entrance and parking

The emergency department is accessible from the main hospital location at 4000 Cambridge Street in Kansas City, Kansas. Parking is available in the P3 parking garage across from the heart center. Find additional driving directions here.

ED waiting time

We assess each patient's vital signs and condition within the first 5 minutes of arrival at the ED. Anytime you visit the ED, your wait to receive care depends on a number of factors.

• Your diagnosis and condition seriousness
• Patient volume
• Condition of other patients

To help reduce waiting time and speed up the process for noncritical events, we established a rapid evaluation, assessment and treatment area, or REACT.

Nonemergency resources

If you have any doubts about your or a loved one's injury or condition, don't hesitate. Call 911 immediately.

When you need to see a doctor right away but don't require a trip to the emergency department, our urgent care offices offer convenient hours and locations. Nonemergency conditions may include respiratory difficulties associated with asthma and allergies, sore throats, coughs, fever, rashes, minor injuries, headaches, vomiting and flu-like symptoms.

Our Poison Control Center provides information on all types of poison, includes poisonous chemicals, plants and snakes. We're available 24/7 from anywhere in the state of Kansas and throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Call our hotline at 800-222-1222.

EMS partners

Regional EMS professionals are an essential part of our emergency and trauma teams. Maintaining strong partnerships with these teams helps ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

Experience counts when minutes matter

Emergency responders begin care and activate the appropriate rapid response team while en route to our hospital. Doctors and nurses at The University of Kansas Health System are ready 24/7 to provide a full spectrum of care for critical patients.

Level I Trauma Center

Our team of trauma surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, neurosurgeons, orthopedists, plastic surgeons, radiologists, nurses and respiratory therapists can mobilize on a moment’s notice. We’re the region’s most experienced nationally verified Level I Trauma Center, designated by the American College of Surgeons. Only select trauma programs in the United States have earned the ACS Level I rating, the highest ranking a program can achieve. We received our Level I verification in September 2000.

Stroke

Time lost is brain lost. Strokes are the No. 1 cause of long-term disability and one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Stroke is treatable if you and your doctors act quickly. We have the resources, staff and training to provide the highest-quality care for stroke patients. Our health system was among the first 5 healthcare facilities in the nation – and the only one in the region – named an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.

STEMI

The deadliest form of heart attack, STEMI (ST-elevated myocardial infarction), requires prompt, advanced care. Our highly trained, dedicated heart attack team works together with EMS professionals, who can activate our STEMI team from the ambulance or helicopter. This greatly increases your chances of survival. Our health system is an accredited Chest Pain Center recognized by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

Burn and wound care

Doctors and nurses provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for patients with complex burns and wounds. Our multidisciplinary burn care team comprises board-certified plastic surgeons, general surgeons, internal medicine specialists, dermatologists, nurses, physical therapists and nutritionists, and other medical professionals.

We are the region’s only adult and pediatric burn care facility accredited by the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons.

Nationally accredited chest pain center

We have the advanced technology to diagnose chest pain symptoms and successfully provide the best treatment. Our survival rates far exceed the national average.

Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center

We were one of the first 5 healthcare facilities in the nation to be named by The Joint Commission. This recognizes our resources, staff and training in the care of stroke patients.

Adult and pediatric burn center

Our burn center is among select centers in the country verified by the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons. This means we are uniquely suited to care for the most seriously injured burn patients.