ABSTRACT
While nurses have always had a pivotal role to play in the delivery of healthcare services to cardiac patients, evidence is increasing that the co-ordination of particular aspects central to patient care by nurses is extremely effective. There is also an emerging trend for nurses not only to co-ordinate the treatment by the healthcare team, but also to initiate the first-line treatment, in line with agreed multidisciplinary protocols. These roles are developing independently on an international basis for a variety of reasons. First, the recognition of the growing complexity of healthcare warrants the delegation of certain aspects of medical care to suitably qualified professionals such as nurses. Secondly, trends in recent years towards the provision of quality care have improved our understanding of the gaps that may exist in service provision. In many cases, nurses are not only suitably qualified but also strategically placed to implement the changes required to bring about seamless care.
