title: Recommendations for the structure, organization, and operation of intensive cardiac care units.
abstract: Two major changes in patient characteristics and management occurred recently that demand distinctive alterations in the function of the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU). These changes include the introduction of an early invasive strategy for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, enabling early recuperation and shorter need for intensive care on the one hand, while the number of older and sicker patients requiring prolonged and more complex intensive care is steadily increasing. A task force of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Acute Cardiac Care was set to give a modern updated comprehensive recommendations concerning the structure, organization, and function of the modern ICCUs and intermediate cardiac units. These include the statement that specially trained cardiologists and cardiac nurses who can manage patients with acute cardiac conditions should staff the ICCUs. The optimum number of physicians, nurses, and other personal working in the unit is included. The document indicates the desired architecture and structure of the units and the intermediate cardiac unit and their relations to the other facilities in the hospital. Specific recommendations are also included for the minimal number of beds, monitoring system, respirators, pacemaker/defibrillators, and necessary additional equipment. The desired function is discussed, namely, the patients to be admitted, the length of stay, and the relocation policy. A uniformed electronic chart for ICCUs is advised, anticipating a common European database.
authors.affiliation: Poria Medical Center, M.P. Lower Galilee, Tiberias, Israel. yhasin@poria.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Yonathan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hasin
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Danchin
authors.forename: Gerasimos S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Filippatos
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heras
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leor
authors.forename: Menachem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nahir
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parkhomenko
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thygesen
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tubaro
authors.forename: Lars C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wallentin
authors.forename: Ilia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zakke
mesh_terms: D003325:Coronary Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy