Cardiology Services - Inpatient Wards and Echo Lab
How we can help you
We care for patients with heart disease, heart rhythm issues, heart failure and other heart problems. We can help by diagnosing your heart problem and providing medical and surgical treatment.
Surgical treatment includes open heart surgery such as bypass or valve surgery. Medical treatment includes management of heart attacks, cardiac arrest, heart rhythm problems and heart failure.
We also undertake procedures to diagnose and treat cardiac disease, such as:
- Ultrasound (echo)
- Stress tests
- Angiograms
- Stents
- Pacemakers
- Cardioversion
Our service areas are all on Level 3 of the Dickinson Building and include:
|
Our service areas |
Contact number |
|
Coronary Care Unit - This is a 9 bed unit where critically unwell patients are provided a high level of care and continually monitored. The unit is supported by specialist nurses, cardiologists in training and cardiologists. |
9382 0200 |
|
Acute Cardiology Ward (Dickinson 3 North) - This ward has 26 monitored beds and looks after patients who are more stable than those in the Coronary Care Unit. |
9382 0220 |
|
Echo Lab - This lab provides exercise stress tests, cardiac ultrasound (echo) including transoesophageal echo and cardioversion. |
9382 0740 |
We also partner with Eastern Heart Clinic, a private clinic located on the same level. They assist with diagnosis and treatment using:
- Angiogram
- Angioplasty and stent
- Pacemaker and implantable defibrillator insertion
- Pacemaker lead extraction
- Valve procedures including valvuloplasty and TAVI.
We are a specialised team of cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiothoracic anaesthetists, intensive care specialists, nurses and allied health professionals.
The majority of our patients are admitted as emergencies, although some are booked admissions for investigations or procedures. Usually patients stay 3-5 days however some patients may require only a short admission and others may require longer stays.
You may find being admitted to a cardiac unit quite frightening and stressful, however, our staff are here to support you and your family as you recover.
Once admitted to hospital you will probably have a number of tests to determine how well your heart is working. You may be asked to fast (not eat) before these.
A significant number of our patients come from areas outside of Sydney. We have a social worker who can assist with transport and accommodation if required.
In general, 3-5 days however some patients may require only a short admission and others may require longer stays.
In most cases, you will need to see a heart specialist after leaving our hospital. If you live in the local area, we will give you an appointment to see the specialist you saw at our hospital. If you live outside our local area, or already have your own cardiologist we suggest you make your own appointment. You will need a referral from your GP to see a specialist. We recommend that you contact the specialist’s rooms before your appointment to ask how much the appointment will cost. Some of the cost will be refundable from Medicare.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.
My heart, my life app (Heart Foundation)