Patient FAQs

Do I need an appointment?

The only Cardiology test that does not need an appointment is the EKG (same as an ECG or electrocardiogram). We do this test on a walk-in basis. Patients should check in at Registration with their doctor’s order for the test. To avoid delays, patients are advised to report between the hours of 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays or 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays. The EKG takes about ten minutes to perform and there is no patient preparation needed.

Should I take my medications prior to testing?

Patients should consult their physician regarding medications. Not all patients follow the same medication guidelines for testing.

What preparation is needed for my test?

All patients should receive written preparation instructions from their physician. It is important to follow these instructions as tests may need to be cancelled if certain food or medication guidelines are not followed. Questions regarding the need for specific testing should be directed to the ordering physician. Cardiology staff is available to answer any questions regarding details of testing procedures not covered by the written instructions.

Physician Offices FAQs

Should I send my symptomatic patient to Cardiology for an EKG or to the Emergency Department for evaluation?

Symptomatic patients can be evaluated immediately by the Emergency Department physicians. As a cardiologist is only present in our department during early morning hours for stress testing, we do not have immediate access to a physician. The Cardiology technicians are trained to recognize life-threatening arrhythmias but do not provide EKG interpretation. Respiratory technicians are available to perform EKGs in the evening hours but are often involved in patient care and require long delays for availability to perform these EKGs. Therefore, physicians should evaluate the need for immediate patient care when sending symptomatic patients for electrocardiograms.

Will you provide test instructions to my patients?

The Cardiology Department will provide to all physician offices instruction sheets for cardiology testing. These written instructions should be given to each patient along with explanation of need for test while at your office. Specific instructions regarding food or medication altering should also be discussed. Should your patient require further detail regarding equipment used or procedure followed for testing, they should contact the Cardiology Department for these details.

Where should I direct my patient to report for testing?

All patients should report to Registration prior to testing. Registration services are offered in the Regional Life Center, Radiology/Lab, and Hancock Diagnostic Center, Rm. 135.

Can we have this test today?

We try to accommodate emergency requests when possible. Since all stress testing requires the presence of a Cardiologist, we must schedule these tests around the physicians’ surgery and office patient schedule. Inpatient and Emergency Department test requests are added to our daily outpatient testing schedule. We try to allow flexibility with other emergency requests as staffing allows.

When are test results available?

Test results are typically available within 24 hours and can be viewed in Meditech. Physician copies are placed in the Doctors’ mailboxes in the Physician Library or mailed to outside physicians’ offices.