Dr. Heinz Alexander Dueffer, MD

I recently had to visit the ER at 2:00 a.m and I was blessed to have Dr. Dueffer as my treating physician. He and all of the other team members I met from check-in, to nurses, (Elaine, Dallas) to check-out were extremely courteous, friendly and personable. I knew my situation wasn’t a life-or-death emergency (just an ulcerated cornea) and I feared being mocked, however I was pleasantly surprised and grateful for how I was treated - with respect. Dr. Dueffer had wonderful bedside manner, which is very rare these days. He has a great sense of humor and doesn’t mix in condescending tones like a lot of physicians. He explained everything that he was going to do in the way of diagnostic tests - including what was being tested and the meaning of specific results. He was very kind and patient and took his time with the procedure. Yes, it took a while for everything to get completed, but that’s completely understandable, as I was in an emergency setting and there very well could have been… plenty of people in more pain than I was. Nevertheless, Dr. Dueffer was courteous and apologized for my wait. And I really didn’t mind - the bed was comfortable, the pillow was fluffy, the temperature of the room actually felt “room temp” instead of freezing cold, AND I had a nice little call button that I could use to call a nurse if I needed anything. Nothing but praises for Dr. Dueffer and everyone else at SB that I met during my “emergency”. They were all WONDERFUL!!! And that’s an understatement!

My wife took a nasty spill and split her forehead badly. Dr. Dueffner did a terrific job sewing her up, (30+ stitches). The plastic surgeon he referred us to told us that he had actually trained Dr. Dueffner on the finer points of making sutures as cosmetically good as possible. She just got the stitches out and it really turned out as well as it possibly could have.

He was a very caring Dr.

He never came into the room. I laid in that room in pain for hours with no blanket, no water, no pain meds and NEVER saw the doctor. Sure tests were run, but he never came in to go over ANY of it. Is that even legal? I don't know, but I can tell you now that we are going to look into it, I will be making a complaint and I will talk to my insurance about his lack of care. In my opinion if you cannot take the time to actually see your patient, you do not deserve to be paid. You should earn your money, not be a mooch. So while he is busy thinking of the ways to spend my money, I am still in severe pain, with NO answers! Just a piece of paper that lists my symptoms stating should I have any of those VERY SAME symptoms, I should go back to the er. If my symptoms are a reason to come in, why are you sending me home without ever checking on me????? I would give him all zeros on this review, but sadly Vitals forces you to give them at least one star. Mr. Dueffer should re think his job,… because he is most certainly NOT a proper doctor. No one should be in severe pain, go to the hospital looking for answers and help only to be treated like trash and neglected by a lazy doctor. LAZY, UNPROFESSIONAL and RUDE!

Dr. Dueffer was very courteous and professional. I was very pleased with my experience with this doctor and the emergency room at Shelby Hospital.