title: A program for inservice education in an intensive coronary care unit.
abstract: Education of the nurse for coronary care includes training in external cardiac massage, proper ventilation techniques, monitoring techniques, a working knowledge of electrocardiographic arrhythmias, artifacts and precatastrophic situations. An intensive care unit nurse must keep in mind that the monitoring equipment only enhances her power of observation, and that no degree of electronic superiority can ever replace a nurse's interpretation of her observation or her vigilance and skill. She must be the ever faithful sentinel constantly alert to the slightest change in these critically ill patients. The development and activation of an educational program that provides an adequate background of knowledge and an opportunity for the mastery of the techniques utilized in the medical therapy are essential for the achievement of the goal of intensive care-the reduction of morbidity and mortality and the preservation of a functional human life.
authors.affiliation: Samuel A. Levine Cardiac Center, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D000078329:Workforce