Authors
- Renata Čosić — University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia — ORCID: 0000-0001-6508-7432
- Mihaela Ipša — University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia — ORCID: 0000-0002-4305-1524
- Katarina Arbanas — University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia — ORCID: 0000-0003-1639-916X
- Tamara Kožić — University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia — ORCID: 0000-0001-5522-865X
- Zdravko Babić — University Hospital Centre „Sestre milosrdnice“, Zagreb, Croatia — ORCID: 0000-0002-7060-8375
Abstract
The first coronary units were founded in the 1960s with the goal of ensuring optimal cardiopulmonary reanimation in patients with myocardial infarction. The Cardiac Care Unit at the University Hospital Centre “Sestre milosrdnice” was founded on September 23, 1970 and was the first and oldest intensive care unit for cardiological patients in southeastern Europe. Over the next several decades it developed in line with global trends and grew into the Department for Intensive Cardiac Care with ten intensive care beds, ensuring comprehensive intensive cardiological care. The team of nurses and physicians cares for approximately 1600 patients annually with an average hospital stay of 2.2 days, which puts us in line with European averages. Since 2005 we have been a part of the Croatian Network for Interventional Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction and have managed patients from parts of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County as well as the Sisak-Moslavina County and the Karlovac County. Healthcare and treatment provided by our team of health professionals are facilitated by the sophisticated medical devices with which the institute is equipped.
Keywords
intensive cardiac care, medical team, organization
DOI
https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2019.304Full Text
## Conclusion The introduction of coronary care units and their development into intensive cardiology care units as well as the introduction of modern diagnostic and treatment options have contributed to improving treatment outcomes for the most severe cases of cardiological diseases. The efficacy and quality of care for such patients requires continuous, life-long education on part of the whole cardiological team. The role of nurses specialized in working at such institutes as necessary and equal members of the medical team is invaluable in achieving the optimal results.