Cardiac Direct Access FAQs

Your doctor has referred you to the Cardiac Direct Access Unit — sometimes called the CDAc (pronounced SEE-dak) — because you experienced heart-related symptoms that require prompt attention although they are not life-threatening. Examples include chest pain, atrial fibrillation and swelling due to heart failure.

The unit is uniquely structured to provide you with expert assessment upon arrival, with little to no waiting and no triage process. Our clinicians will see you immediately, communicate with your doctor and provide treatment as appropriate. Patients must be referred by a physician.

Cardiac Direct Access is a program that provides same-day assessment and treatment for patients with cardiac symptoms that are non-life threatening but require prompt attention. Patients must be referred by a physician's office. You can speak directly with the cardiologist on duty and initiate your referral by calling 617-632-7777.

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.

Observation means that you are placed in a bed within the unit so that clinicians can treat you overnight and observe your progress. This gives them the information they need to decide whether you should be admitted to the hospital or can return home safely.

This depends on your condition. Many patients will be evaluated, treated and released the same day. Others will spend the night in an observation bed. Typically, the next day, observation patients will either be discharged to home or admitted to the hospital. Therefore, most patients are in the unit 24 hours or less.

Patients must have a physician referral for every visit. This ensures you'll get your care in the part of the hospital that is best equipped to meet your needs.

If you are experiencing worrisome heart symptoms, call your primary care doctor or community-based cardiologist. If your doctor thinks you are experiencing a heart attack, he or she will advise you to call 911 and go directly to the Emergency Room. If this is not a concern, he or she will refer you to the Cardiac Direct Access Unit.

Cardiac Direct Access allows you to see a cardiologist the same day you experience worrisome symptoms, bypassing the Emergency Room. The Cardiac Direct Access Unit operates 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. It is staffed from 8 am - 10 pm by a cardiologist and at all times by experienced advanced practice providers and clinical nurses. This expertise and the capacity for overnight observation mean it is less likely you will end up in the hospital.

Get directions to BIDMC's Cardiac Direct Access Unit here.

The unit is located on BIDMC's West Campus in the Longwood Medical Area, on the first floor of the Deaconess Building. Please enter through the Farr Complex lobby at 185 Pilgrim Road. Closest parking is in the BIDMC garage on Pilgrim Road.

Valet parking options are available. You can drop off your car at the valet parking station in front of the Rosenberg Clinical Center. From there you will be directed to the Cardiac Direct Access Unit. Or, go to the Farr Building entrance and ask the Far Lobby ambassador to contact the valet for you.

During regular daytime hours, you can 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. Please call the unit from an intercom located to the left of the main Farr Building door. The intercom monitor is clearly marked "Cardiac Direct Access Unit" (see photo). After receiving your call, a unit staffer will meet you at the door and accompany you to the unit.

Yes, one essential patient escort is allowed to come with you. Your escort must check-in at the information desk and wear a mask. Please note that space is limited, however, and we do not have non-patient beds for overnight stays.

• Same-day evaluation by a cardiologist, including evening evaluations
• Overnight observation
• In-unit testing (such as labs and echocardiography)
• Direct transfers to the inpatient cardiology service as needed
• Diuresis (scheduled and urgent)
• telehealth consultations

In the Cardiac Direct Access unit, you will be seen immediately by a cardiologist. Also, you must have a referral from your physician.

Staff includes a cardiologist, advanced practice providers, nursing director, clinical nurses, medical assistants and technicians. All are experienced in cardiac care.

Yes. Please note that if you are placed in a bed for observation, your insurer will consider this an outpatient visit, so co-insurance and co-payments will apply.