Critical Care is about surviving a heart attack, a car accident, flesh-eating disease, severe asthma, complications from cancer therapy, or just about any illness that takes a turn for the worse and affects the function of your major organs.

Patients who are seriously ill or injured will be admitted to one of Deaconess Medical Center's critical care units. These units are for patients who require continuous, comprehensive, and detailed intensive care because of the critical nature of their disease or illness.

Each specially designed unit includes highly skilled staff and specialized equipment to provide comprehensive medical care and diagnostic testing.
The goal of critical care is to help patients through a life-threatening crisis and assist in their recovery in order to return to the life they led prior to the traumatic event.

Both the ICU and CICU units are closed to visititation from
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

In the ICU, visitation policies are designed to give everyone on the team, including family members, the kind of time necessary to fulfill their roles effectively.

Our "family-friendly" policies are designed to help reduce your anxiety, answer your questions and provide ongoing reassurance and guidance. We all share a goal -- the well-being of your loved one.
Blocks of time have been set aside when visiting will be an option if conditions in the ICU permit. At other times, no visitors will be allowed.

Remember, the patient's condition may preclude or restrict a visit even during designated visiting hours.

Physicians are available to emergencies and assist with the management of any medical problems. Patient care needs are assessed on an ongoing basis by the registered nurse assigned to the patient. The staff is committed to providing ICU patients with quality care. We accomplish this by basing nursing care of critically ill patients on:

• Thorough knowledge of clinical interventions. We use our skills, training and judgment to carry out a plan of care that maximizes a patient's potential for recovery.
• Working together as a team. Physicians, nurses and other medical center staff work closely together for the benefit of the patient.
• Caring for the whole person. We provide not only physical care but also mental, social and spiritual services. While our primary concern is the welfare of our patients, we understand the importance of supporting their families and loved ones.
• Being compassionate, professional patient advocates. Our patients' interests and their wishes are our guiding principles. We strive to preserve the dignity of each patient and do our utmost to provide comfort and minimize pain.

We continually look for ways to improve the care we provide. We educate ourselves in new techniques, engage in clinical and laboratory research activities, and offer training in the care of critically ill patients.

We hope this section helps you better understand how our critical care units work so we can better meet the needs of you and your family. We understand how difficult it can be to have a loved one hospitalized due to illness, surgery, or trauma. Our goal is to make your time here as comfortable as possible.

The Critical Care Units of Deaconess Medical Center are highly specialized areas equipped for the care of the acutely ill patients. Our staff members utilize the most sophisticated equipment and technology to provide a personalized diagnostic and therapeutic plan of care for each patient. We are specially trained in the areas of trauma and critical care. Our goal is to combine professional excellence and personal empathy to serve our patients and their families with competence and compassion.

Your team of healthcare professionals including physicians, residents, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, social workers, clergy, radiology technicians and patient care technicians will be caring for you and your family member. As critical care specialists, we are committed to providing each patient with quality healthcare, delivered in a courteous and caring manner.

The medical/surgical ICU is located on the second floor of the hospital and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit is located on the third floor. Before you enter the ICU, you will need to call the unit by using the phone outside of the unit; just pick up the phone and it will automatically connect you to the nurse station. The ICU nurse will advise if it is an appropriate time for you to visit your loved one, or they may ask you to wait in the waiting area. The reason for the wait may be because a procedure or treatment is in progress. Although the waiting time can be difficult, please be assured a nurse will come and escort you back or update you on your loved one’s condition. The first time you visit your family member, an ICU nurse will be with you to explain the equipment and tubes that you may see.

Patients requiring critical care need as much rest as possible. Visits should be adjusted to meet the needs of the patients; brief visits are best. Due to the size of the rooms and courtesy to our other patients, only two family members may visit at one time. At times, visitation may be interrupted for patient care but will resume as soon as possible. The critical care areas are closed for visitation between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., except for special circumstances. For their well-being, children under the age of 14 are not permitted to visit patients in the unit without special permission.

To assure patient confidentiality, we ask that your family identify one spokesperson to receive and communicate information. The role of this person will be to contact all the friends and relatives who need to be reached each day to provide them with an update on the patient’s condition We know that access to information is one of the most significant needs of families of ICU patients. It is recommended that the spokesperson not have the primary relationship to the patient (spouse, parent of a child, significant other). Having someone else serve as family spokesperson relieves him or her of the responsibility to follow through with this most important task. Having a family spokesperson also eliminates frequent calls into the ICU, which can pull the nurse away from the patient’s bedside.

You are as important to the healing process as the physicians, nurses, medications and treatments. You have been a part of the patient’s life journey long before, and will be long after, this hospitalization. Proper food and sleep will enhance your ability to listen and understand the significant information you will be given. The cafeteria is located on the first floor of the hospital. Stressful situations in addition to staying awake all night, every night, will eventually wear on you, and can make you prone to illness. Try to eat healthy foods regularly. Whenever possible, get up and walk around. Exercise is very important to maintaining emotional health. Do not feel that you have to be available every moment. A trained medical team is caring for your loved one. The patients are closely monitored even though there are not care providers directly in the room at all times. Remember your loved one needs all the strength you can give.

Q. Should I bring anything from home?
A. Familiar things are often comforting; however, you should check with the nurse before bringing anything into the ICU. Photographs, cards, pajamas, robes and slippers may be helpful.

Q. Who do I ask for if I have a concern?
A. Ask for the charge nurse, manager or nursing supervisor. They will be able to assist you with any of your concerns.

Q. Should I take notes?
A. Keep a notebook handy. This will be a useful tool to remember questions you want to ask and information you need to share with family members. This is also a good place to keep track of important phone numbers, and the physicians and nurses who are caring for your loved one.

Q. Can I speak to the physician?
A. Yes, if you need to meet with the physician, the nurse can assist you and arrange a family meeting.

Please remember the Critical Care Team, the Cardiac Intensive Care Team and everyone at Deaconess Medical Center are your partners in the care of your loved one.