This handbook, under the auspices of the Society of Chest Pain Centers, is the first roadmap to treatment of heart failure patients in an observation unit. It gives practitioners a full understanding of the medical requirements, administrative processes, and regulatory issues involved in observation unit care of heart failure patients.


The authors offer practical guidelines for management of heart failure in an observation unit, including admission criteria, initial evaluation, treatment protocols, drugs that should and should not be used, and discharge planning. Appendices contain treatment pathways and algorithms; sample orders; discharge information; reminder cards; and diet instructions.