Although technological change processes in agriculture and industry have been extensively studied, studies of technological change processes in the service sector are, to date, limited in number. In this paper, findings of a case study of the diffusion of coronary care facilities in the Australian hospital sector are presented and discussed. Comparisons are drawn with other studies of innovation and diffusion in both profit and not-for-profit settings in this country and overseas. A review of the history of treatment for coronary heart disease serves to emphasise that technologies, thought to be of worth, are too often introduced only to be later discarded. Comprehensive technology assessment is proposed as a viable alternative to the ad hoc approach which presently characterises the adoption of medical innovations.