Sonya Solosko Baum, R N , M N , is with the mobile intensive care unit of the Los Angeles Paramedics, working in the coronary care and intensive care units. She formerly was a cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist at Saint John’s Hospital and Health Center, Santa Monica, Calif. She received a BA degree from Hood College, Frederick, Md; a BS from Columbia University School ofNursing, New York City; and an M N from the University of California Los A ngeles School o f Nursing. One of the staff cardiologists called to me as I entered the cafeteria, “I’m impressed with the notebook the nurses on 5 North wrote to teach heart surgery patients. How soon can you write a similar book for coronary arteriograms?” Stunned a t these unexpected compliments, I sank into the nearest chair and into a tray of empty dishes. The notebook, “Guidelines for Teaching the Cardiac Surgery Patient,”’ is only one part of an education program for the patient who is to have cardiac surgery a t Saint John’s Hospital and Health Center, Santa Monica, Calif. Developed early in 1975, the program begins when the patient enters the hospital for elective surgery or when immediate surgical intervention becomes necessary for an inpatient. After surgery, teaching continues through the postoperative period until the patient is discharged from the hospital. Although the major portion of patient teaching is provided by the nursing staff, the respiratory therapy department is involved with demonstration of IPPB equipment and teaching of coughing and deep-breathing techniques. Other allied health disciplines, such as social service and dietary, are utilized 2s necessary. From its inception, the teaching program has been supported by the cardiac surgeons. The program for cardiac surgery patients was developed to provide patient education and continuity of care for the individual having a major surgical procedure and to decrease concomitant stress and anxiety in both patient and family. The preoperative time is usually a stressful, anxious, and fearful period for any individual. In consenting to a surgical procedure, a patient places his life into the hands of others more than he does in any other area of the hospital. He surrenders all personal items, and