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Emergency

Chest Pain Center

The Saint Alphonsus Chest Pain Unit, located in the Emergency Department, is designed to care for patients who are experiencing any type of cardiac symptoms—from mild angina to heart attacks. Symptoms are assessed immediately upon arrival, and thoroughly diagnosed so proper treatment can be provided. The Chest Pain Unit can prevent a heart attack from happening.

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Emergency cardiac conditions are evaluated immediately in the Emergency Department. Then, if necessary, patients are admitted to the Coronary Care Unit. Patients whose lives are not immediately threatened remain in the Chest Pain Unit. Here, the Acute Cardiac Team will monitor and observe the patient so steps can be taken to help prevent a heart attack.

Patients may stay in the Chest Pain Unit for up to 12 hours. During this time, they will be continually monitored by the nursing and medical staff. Every patient will have an EKG performed immediately, and will be continually monitored for any heart rhythm changes.

The most current technology available is used to monitor and evaluate patient condition in the Chest Pain Unit. This includes:

• Cardiac enzymes
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Cardiac monitoring
• Sestamibi Nuclear Scan
• Dobutamine Echocardiogram

The Acute Cardiac Team
Comprised of Idaho Emergency Physicians and nurses specially trained in acute cardiac care, the Acute Cardiac Team is the only one of its kind in Idaho. Ancillary staff, such as Emergency Department technicians, respiratory therapists, lab technicians and x-ray technicians, are an integral part of the team as well. In addition, each patient's cardiologist, or the cardiologist on-call, is consulted.

The goals of the Acute Cardiac Team are to:

• Provide rapid intervention for those patients with emergency cardiac conditions
• Quickly identify and diagnose those at risk for heart disease
• Provide health and wellness education and resources
• Provide appropriate referral and follow-up instructions when patient is discharged

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