Such a facility should be able to provide routine laboratory testing and radiographic studies. In remote regions of the country, where continuous availability of trained personnel is not feasible, arrangement of consultation linkages with practitioners with appropriate training using facsimile and telephone communication is recommended. Some, but not all, such units will have facilities for intra- aortic balloon placement. This unit can handle all forms of vasoactive continuous IV infusion. Nurses are competent in the recognition and treatment of arrhythimias and evaluation of ischemic symptoms.
Personnel are competent in recognition of arrhythmias and evaluation of ischemic symptoms.
ECG telemetry may or may not be available, but the nurses must be competent in recognition of unstable angina and its initial management. Access to cardiac resuscitation is via a code cart on the floor and a designated code team. Continuous heparin infusions may be used, but usually vasoactive drug infusions are not permitted.