Evaluation of the chest pain patient: survey of current practice patterns

The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of chest pain centers, and describe the associated protocols most commonly used to rapidly risk-stratify patients in these units. This study is a survey conducted from May to July 2003 via direct mail. A questionnaire was mailed to 4653 hospitals in the United States. A total of 462 questionnaires were returned, representing a return rate of approximately 10%. This survey revealed that approximately 64% of all hospitals have a protocol for the evaluations of patients who present with chest pain, and 38% of all hospitals reported a designated area for the evaluation of these patients. The majority of hospitals responding to this survey have a protocol for the evaluation of patients presenting with chest pain, however, the presence of a chest pain unit exists in only 38% of all responding institutions.