The hospital in Pula was founded in 1896, a long time ago. The Internal Medicine Department is one of the oldest departments and the largest by number of wards and scope of responsibilities. The Coronary Care Unit (CCU) was opened in 1971 and was founded by Dr Rauch Guido, a cardiologist, and was called the Intensive Care Unit at the time. The unit managed all emergency internal medicine conditions.¹ Implantation of temporary pacemakers was started as early as 1976 and was performed blindly (without X-ray imaging) by the masters of cardiology from Pula, Dr Rauch and Dr Jukić.²

We have been in our current space since 2000, when we separated from the General Internal Medicine Department and became the CCU. Pacemaker implantation began in 2010. We provide care and management for all coronary events. The unit initially had four beds, two monitors, a defibrillator, and one temporary pacemaker device¹, whereas we now work in renovated rooms (Figure 1, Figure 2). We have six new modern hospital beds, and multitude of extra functions that they provide significantly facilitate care for severely ill patients. Every bed has a monitor with the following functions: heart rhythm and frequency monitoring, arterial waveform monitoring, monitoring of oxygenation, of central arterial pressure, core body temperature, etc. The CCU has a central monitoring system that in addition to monitoring the patients in the coronary unit also allows us to telemetrically monitor up to three patients at the department. Two of our respirators can provide mechanical ventilation as well as non-invasive ventilation. Every bed has a closed system for airway ventilation.

We are equipped with two carts with the necessary monitors, medications, and other materials needed for reanimation. We act as the department’s reanimation team. There are three transcutaneous pacing devices available. Using our new electrocardiography device, we can record the ECG and use the wireless network to store it in the archive.

Patient transport is done using beds; when that is not possible, we have a special bed with bar to prevent patients from falling. The height of this bed can be adjusted, and it has an infusion bag holder. If it becomes necessary to transport the patient to the clinical hospital center, we are equipped with a portable monitor and an emergency supplies bag. Other transfers to the clinic are organized with the help of ambulance transport from other Istrian health centers.

In order to perform all our duties (Figure 3), we need human resources as well. The department currently employs five internal medicine physicians – cardiologists – and two cardiology residents. The department also employs one nurse with a master’s degree, one with a bachelor’s degree, and twelve general care nurses. A nurse and one hospital cleaner are available on demand to assist in patient transfer.

We received the City of Pula Charter award in 2007 for our dedicated work. We are especially proud of our patient who nominated us for the award and who recognized our selfless work and efforts to save our patients’ lives. We will continue working with the same dedication, as depicted by the mural above the entrance to our institution (Figure 4).