Guidelines of the Spanish Society of cardiology on requirements and equipment of the coronary care unit

The conceptual change and the dynamic care of patients observed in coronary care units, in recent years are reported. The coronary care units is incre asingly conceived as an intensive care unit for patients with acute or chro nic cardiopathies with severe complaints. Criteria for rational planificati on, functional and hierarchic organization and basic medical care arguments are established. The coronary care unit can not be integrated in the cardi ology department, under the direction of a cardiologist. The authors point out the basic, physical structure and characteristics of the equipment in t he coronary care unit and the intermediate cardiac care unit. Finally, we c omment on the human resources (medical, nursing and administrative) and the criteria for admission and discharge in the coronary care unit.