Intensive Care Unit

Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are considered to have an acute problem or, as a precautionary measure, require constant observation. Rest, relaxation and comfort for the patient have a direct bearing on a speedy recovery. Noise, long visits, too many visitors or worrisome discussions hinder such a recovery and therefore, require regulation. Your encouragement and hopeful attitude can go far toward calming fears and assisting the patient’s recovery. Your cooperation not only benefits your family member, but all of the patients in the ICU.

Visiting Hours

The care of your loved one is very important to us. The ICU staff recognizes the healing benefit of family visitation with critically ill patients. However rest is essential in the healing process. For this reason, visitors are limited to immediate family members, clergy, and/or significant others as specified by the patient. Two visitors per time, please.

• Visiting hours are 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. and last 30 minutes.
• Immediate family members only.
• Visitors for each patient are limited to two people at a time.
• Visitors must be 12 years of age or older.
• Special requests for younger visitors will be considered in situations regarding terminal illnesses.
• Infectious diseases can delay recovery. If you feel you are contagious, please inform the nurse.
• Telephones are not present in patient rooms in order that the patient rest not be interrupted. However, on a case by case basis, telephones may be available to the patient.
• Telephone inquiries regarding a patient’s condition require the patient’s password and may be directed to the nurse caring for the patient. Nursing staff will not be available during report times (6:00‐ 7:30 a.m. and p.m.). Families are encouraged to use the phone in the ICU waiting room on the first floor for personal calls.

Personal Belongings

Due to limited space in each patient room and for safe‐keeping purposes, personal belongings (clothing, medication, and valuables) for patients should be taken home. Medications from home can only be administered by the ICU nurse with a physician’s order. Live flowers are not allowed in patient rooms. Small artificial arrangements, balloons, and cards are acceptable. Psychiatric patients have different rules which the nurse will review with you.

Suggestions to make the most of your visit:

1. Please wash you hands before and after you visit patients to help protect both them and you from infection.
2. Let the patient know you are there. Even if he or she is not alert as normal, a familiar voice or touch can be comforting. However, some patients should not be stimulated. Your nurse will let you know if the patient you are visiting should not be touched or spoken to.
3. It is extremely important to take care of yourself while your loved one is in the ICU.
4. Be positive and supportive! Make sure that your conversations will not upset the patient.
5. Please do not touch the equipment.

Thank you for allowing us to care for your family!

To reach SICU or MICU, call 256-494-4000 and ask to be connected to appropriate unit.