Transfer From a Coronary Care Unit: Some Adverse Responses

A series of 14 patients with myocardial infarction hospitalized on a Coronary Care Unit and then transferred to a general medical ward were studied by clinical observation and measurement of urinary catecholamine excretion. Emotional changes were frequent and correlated temporally with urinary catecholamine changes at the time of transfer. The incidence of cardiovascular complications was reduced in patients prepared for transfer and followed by a nurse and physician throughout their hospitalization. The findings reaffirm the importance of continuity of care in the treatment of patients with myocardial infarction.