What is Methodist's Chest Pain Center?

• It's an observation and treatment unit open 24 hours daily in the emergency department.

• Patients are seen in triage first, then taken to the acute area of the emergency department where it can be quickly determined if the patient actually is having a heart attack. If the patient does not have evidence of a heart attack, the patient can be placed in the Chest Pain Center for extended observation to look for more subtle evidence of heart disease.

• The center is a group of rooms in a quiet section of the emergency department.

• It's where blood tests, EKG's and possible stress tests are ordered and where pain is monitored.

• It's available to individuals in need of immediate attention.

• The center helps get acute patients into the hospital system more quickly.

• It reduces unnecessary hospital admissions.

• The Chest Pain Center serves Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties.