Cardiac Direct Access Unit Referrals
Referring Patients to the Cardiac Direct Access Unit at BIDMC
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) Cardiac Direct Access (CDAc) Unit provides physicians with the option of a direct referral versus sending patients to the emergency room. Our innovative CDAc Unit streamlines access to cardiac care, ensuring timely evaluation and treatment for patients experiencing cardiac distress. Patients are seen immediately with no wait or lengthy triage process.
The unit is open 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. It is staffed from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. by an attending cardiologist and at all times by experienced advanced practice providers and nurses.
CDAc Unit Referral Process
You can speak directly with the cardiologist on duty and initiate your referral by calling 617-632-7777. We offer same-day assessment and treatment for patients with cardiac symptoms that are non-life threatening but require prompt attention.
The unit is staffed by experienced clinicians dedicated solely to cardiac care. The facility includes patient exam rooms, overnight observation rooms, testing equipment, a telehealth facility and an outpatient diuresis room.
If you have questions or need to arrange urgent diuresis for your patient, please call the Cardiac Direct Access nursing director at 617-632-7770.
Whom Should I Refer to the CDAc Unit?
You can refer patients to the CDAc Unit for various cardiac conditions, including but not limited to:
- Congestive heart failure: Patients experiencing worsening symptoms or requiring immediate management.
- Arrhythmias: Individuals with new or concerning heart rhythm changes.
- Chest pain: Patients with new or unstable chest pain needing urgent evaluation.
- Hypertension: Those with poorly controlled blood pressure or complications.
- Cardiac symptoms: Any patient with significant cardiac complaints that require quick assessment.
Patients you deem appropriate for ambulance transport with advance life support from your office should still be referred to the emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions About CDAc
Patients typically arrive by car. The CDAc Unit is located on the first floor of the Deaconess Building, accessible through the Farr Complex lobby on BIDMC's West Campus at 185 Pilgrim Road. The closest parking is in the BIDMC garage on Pilgrim Road. Valet parking is available in front of the Rosenberg Clinical Center. From there patients will be directed to the CDAc Unit.
During regular daytime hours, patients may walk into the Farr Lobby and ask the ambassador to call the unit or provide an escort.
After 8 p.m., the Farr building is locked and patients will call the CDAc Unit from a call monitor located to the right of the main Farr Building door. The call monitor is clearly marked "Cardiac Direct Access." A unit staffer will meet the patient at the door and accompany him or her to the unit.
If a telehealth consultation is appropriate for your patient, please mention this during the referral process. Our team will provide guidance on setting up a virtual visit, ensuring the patient receives timely care without needing to travel.
For patients requiring diuresis, you can coordinate care directly through our CDAc Unit. Please call our nursing director at 617-632-7770. We will assist in managing the patient’s treatment plan and ensure appropriate follow-up care.
If symptoms are urgent and potentially life-threatening, refer you patient to BIDMC's emergency department. Otherwise, call our attending cardiologist at 617-632-7777 on Monday morning.
At this time, the Cardiac Direct Access Unit sees only patients referred on an urgent basis.
No. Patients can only be referred by their physician.
