Chest Pain Center

St. Joseph’s commitment to help prevent, diagnosis and treat heart disease is evident in our numerous accreditations.

Accredited Chest Pain Center 
American College of Cardiology  

ACA SealTo receive accreditation as a Chest Pain Center, St. Joseph's underwent a rigorous evaluation by the Society. A visiting team reviews the medical center's ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. 

St. Joseph's met strict guidelines based upon the following:

  • Reducing the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment;
  • Treating patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved; and 
  • Monitoring patients when it is not certain that they are having a heart attack to ensure they are not sent home too quickly or needlessly admitted to the hospital.

Designation as a Cardiac Arrest Center 
Arizona Department of Health Services

St. Joseph's’s designation highlights our ability to provide comprehensive, leading-edge care to those experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.

We had to meet the following criteria:

  • Cardiac intervention capabilities, which includes a cardiac catheterization lab and access to an interventional cardiologist 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
  • A therapeutic hypothermia method to cool patients for at least 24 hours after a cardiac event, which helps reduce the risk of brain damage; and
  • Coordination with with local emergency medical personnel to provide specific lifesaving protocols before the patient arrives at the hospital.

Hands-Only CPR

Hands-only CPR is endorsed by the American Heart Association as the preferred form of resuscitation given by bystanders for use on adults and teens who collapse from sudden cardiac arrest. If you see someone collapse unexpectedly, this is usually the result of cardiac arrest. 

Knowing Hands-Only CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, and doing so is easier than you might think.

Step-by-step instructions for performing Hands-Only CPR:

  1. If you have a phone, call 9.1.1
  2. Do not wait for emergency responders – begin Hands-Only CPR.
  3. Place one hand on top of the other with both palms down and interlock your fingers. Place your hands over the center of the chest.
  4. Lock your elbows.
  5. Then press down HARD. You need to press down about 2 inches.  
  6. Pump at the rate of about 100 beats per minute. Think of the song “Stayin’ Alive” for tempo.
  7. If you have a person to switch off with, switch every 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. Do not stop pumping until help arrives or until the person speaks, moves or breathes on his or her own.

View more information and a video demonstration.

Did you know?

  • Nearly 90 percent of all sudden cardiac arrests happen at home.
  • Your actions in the first five minutes are critical to a person’s survival.
  • You can double or triple a person’s chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest.

You have the power to save a life in the palms of your hands …Hands-Only CPR.