A visitor s guide to the Intensive Care Unit

A visitor s guide to the Intensive Care Unit

Introduction This booklet has been designed to help you during your time visiting the Intensive Care Unit. We aim to ensure that you have relevant and accurate information and hope that this booklet will answer your questions and allay any fears and concerns you may have about visiting. Contents Section 1 The Health Care Team 2 Section 2 About the Unit 3 Admission 3 Visiting 3 Enquiries 4 Waiting area 4 Telephones 5 Items required by the patient 5 Potted plants/flowers 5 Visitors toilets 5 Section 3 Listening to your views 6 1

Section 1 The Health Care Team All patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit are managed by consultant intensivists and cared for by qualified nurses. In addition to this, patients keep their referring consultant to ensure continuity of care upon discharge from the Unit. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the care given, please do not hesitate to ask the nurse caring for your relative/friend. The nurse can arrange for you to speak to the Unit doctor or the appropriate consultant (this may take longer). We understand it may be difficult for you to identify the professional staff due to the many different types of uniforms. All staff employed by the Trust should carry a photo identification badge. If you are ever unsure who anyone is, please ask to see the badge. 2

Section 2 About the Unit Admission On arrival please press the intercom at the entrance to the Unit. A member of staff will respond and either invite you onto the Unit or ask you to wait. If you are asked to wait you will be given an estimated time and will be asked to take a seat in the waiting area. It may be some time before we are able to give you any information regarding your relative/friend s condition. This is because staff may be busy caring for him/her. Please try not to worry about the delay. If you have been waiting more than 20 minutes and feel this is excessive, please enquire at the reception desk or ask a member of staff. Visiting Due to the nature of the Intensive Care Unit, it is necessary to restrict the number of visitors. Only 2 visitors are normally allowed at the bedside at any one time. Our visiting times are between 11am and 8pm; but please be aware that our patients require frequent rest periods so please impose your own restrictions. We particularly encourage an afternoon rest period. Please also be guided by the ICU nurses. In exceptional circumstances, alternative arrangements can be made with the matron/sister/charge nurse. Due to patient confidentiality issues, you will be asked to leave the patient s bedside during doctors ward rounds. 3

Enquiries Telephone enquiries can be made at any time of the day or night, and we would be very grateful if the next of kin could arrange for information to be given to other members of the family through a nominated spokesperson. This reduces the amount of enquiries nursing staff have to answer. The Unit can be dialled directly Nurses station side 1 01332 788686 or 01332 788685 Nurses station side 2 01332 788372 or 01332 787137 Alternatively, telephone 01332 340131, and either wait for the operator and ask to be put through to the Intensive Care Unit, or dial extension 88686, 88685, 88372 or 87137 when prompted. Waiting area In the waiting area there is information about the facilities and services within the hospital. You will also find a photograph board which shows and explains some of the equipment which may be used in the care of your relative/friend. If you would like a member of staff to explain any aspect of care, please do not hesitate to ask. There are facilities available for relatives/friends of critically ill patients who wish to stay overnight. Hot beverages (tea and coffee) from a small vending machine and a cold water dispenser are available in the waiting area. A wider selection of refreshments are available from the restaurant on level 5. A number of coffee shops, vending machines and shops can be found throughout the hospital. 4

Telephones There are a number of payphones located throughout the hospital. The nearest to the Unit includes one near the main entrance, on level 1 near the Faith Centre and one by the restaurant on level 5. Mobile Phones - We ask that you do not use mobile phones or have them switched on in the Unit. Items required by the patient All patients require toiletries. You will be asked to bring these in to help make your relative/friend s stay more comfortable. Storage of these items is, however, limited. Potted plants/flowers Please do not bring flowers or potted plants onto the Intensive Care Unit. We are unable to have them on the Unit because of hygiene and infection control reasons (potentially harmful bacteria can be present in flower water and soil). Visitors toilets A visitor s toilet (with disabled facilities) can be found by the waiting area. 5

Section 3 Listening to your views Your views are very important and help us to develop our services. If you have any suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of the Unit staff. Comments cards are also available for you to fill in. These can be found on the reception desk in the waiting area. A box is situated in the waiting area for you to post them in. If you have any concerns - we want to know, as it is important that we endeavour to resolve them as quickly as possible. If the Unit staff are unable to help they will make arrangements for you to talk to someone else. You may wish to speak to a member of PALS about your concerns or for advice regarding making a formal complaint. Please contact 0800 783 7691. 6

www.derbyhospitals.nhs.uk Trust Minicom 01332 785566 Reference Code: P0616/0226/01.2010/VERSION6 Copyright 2010 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the Trust. Any external organisations and websites included here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Trust, nor does their inclusion constitute a recommendation. (P0417/10.2008/V5)