Visiting your loved one at ICU
Critical patients often need Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. When a patient is brought to an ICU, family and friends gathered in visitors' waiting room. As ICU is highly sterile, visitors are often restricted to enter and see their patient's condition. Upon certain rules ICU team allow visitors when they consider visiting safe. Before going to the ICU, you need to check in with the authority who will make sure that your loved one is ready to see the visitors. The followings are key to prevent spreading of infection in ICU. To prevent infection and ensure patient-safety, all visitors to the ICU must use the antibacterial liquid to cleanse their hands. You may require wearing special gown, mask and shoe cover provided by the hospital before entering into an ICU. The following are not permitted in the ICU: -Children under age of 12 -Food and drinks -Flowers -Cameras/video recorders or picture taking -Cellular phones If you have cough, fever, runny nose, or rash, the best thing you can do for your loved one is to avoid entering the critical care units. When you enter the ICU, you will notice that most of the patients are surrounded by equipment and tubing with an alarm. The alarms alert the nurse to changes. The alarms should not frighten you. While you are visiting an ICU, try to remain calm and supportive to the patient. Make eye contact and provide encouragement. Remember that, although the patient may not show it, he/she hears more than you might think. After checking with the staff, do not be afraid to touch the patient. In the ICU: -Reassure your loved one of your support and presence -Touch and hold your loved one's hands -Talk to your loved one; remind him or her of the date and time -Respect the privacy of other patients in the ICU Having a relative or friend in the ICU can be a very stressful experience. It is important that you take care of yourself and the patients in ICU by maintaining the rules.
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