Acute Care & Chest Pain Centers

According to the Centers for Disease Control, someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds in the United States. Those of us who care for those patients understand how important it is to diagnose and treat heart attacks within what’s known as “the Golden Hour” — that first hour after heart attack symptoms appear. Treatment provided within this one-hour window greatly increases your chances of full recovery.

Patients who may be experiencing symptoms of a heart attack are seen by Pulse Heart Institute specialists at the Emergency Departments at Allenmore Hospital, Auburn Medical Center, Deaconess Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Tacoma General Hospital and Valley Hospital.

How We Help

If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, you’ll initially be seen in the Emergency Department. There you will be evaluated quickly to determine if you are, in fact, having a heart attack.

• If a heart attack is confirmed, patients receive medication and, if necessary, are whisked to a catheterization lab or surgical suite for additional intervention.
• If we determine that you are at low or intermediate risk for a heart attack, you’ll remain in the Emergency Department to be regularly evaluated over eight hours. If tests during that time are negative, you may be discharged, or given additional diagnostic tests, depending on your specific symptoms and diagnosis.
• In some cases, our specialists may spot early signs of heart disease and put you on a treatment path that can help reduce your risk for developing more serious heart problems. In other cases, specialists may determine that another problem — not heart disease — is responsible for chest pain, and they can recommend appropriate treatment.

Highest Level Accreditation

We have accredited Chest Pain Centers located at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital and MultiCare Valley Hospital. These Centers specifically designed to provide diagnosis and treatment within that “Golden Hour.” They are among only a handful of facilities in Washington to be nationally accredited by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care for that very reason.

The Chest Pain Centers at Good Samaritan Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital received full national accreditation with PCI — the highest level of accreditation available — from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.