Our goal is to work with you to provide the best possible care for your loved one. We know that having a seriously ill friend or family member is very stressful. We will do our best to provide support. By working together as a team, we can help you and your loved one cope with this stressful situation.
Our visiting policy in the ICU:
- We welcome visits from family and friends. Visits help the healing process of our patients.
- Don't visit if you are feeling sick, have a cough or fever, have vomiting or diarrhea.
- Call the Critical Care Unit before entering the unit. Please use the intercoms.
- Try to have only 2 visitors come at a time. In special cases, we may allow more.
- Make sure children under the age of 12 have permission to visit from the bedside nurse. They must be with an adult at all times.
- Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before entering and leaving the ICU and your loved one's room.
- Do not bring fresh flowers, food or latex products into the ICU.
- Remember to leave your valuables at home so they don't get lost or stolen.
Choosing a spokesperson:
Please ask one person to be the main contact with the health care team. This person will receive updates from the team and pass the information on to family or friends.
Choosing a spokesperson reduces confusion, protects patient privacy and lets the health care team focus on what's most important - caring for your loved one. Please provide us with the name and contact number for this person.
Being present at rounds:
Every day, the health care team talks about how your loved one is doing and how to continue their care. These meetings are called rounds. If the patient gives their consent (agrees), we welcome family to attend rounds.
During rounds, you have a chance to:
- share important information with the team
- hear a quick update about your loved one's condition
- and have a chance to ask questions
If you are the Power of Attorney or legal decision maker for the patient's health related decisions, please speak to the bedside nurse if you want to take part in rounds. They can guide you through the process.
Patient confidentiality (privacy) is very important to us. Help us by keeping all information about your loved one and other patients private.
Attending family meetings:
Sometimes, we need to speak to you and other family members in more detail about your loved one's care. In this case, we will arrange a family meeting. These meetings give you a chance to meet many of the team members and talk about your loved one's progress. We will work with you to schedule the meeting at a convenient time for everyone.
Helping with daily care:
Friends and family are a very important part in the care of patients. Please speak to a member of the healthcare team about how you can help care for your loved one.
Some examples of how you can help include:
- helping to bathe them
- combing their hair
- brushing their teeth
- helping them with leg and arm exercises
- talking with them
We can also teach you some ways to communicate with your loved one in case they are unable to talk. This is a very important and easy skill to learn.
You are an important part of your loved one's health care team, so you need to take care of yourself. Even though this is a stressful time, try to eat and sleep properly. Taking breaks away from the hospital is very important.
Remember: Your loved one will never be alone in the ICU.
