Frequently Asked Questions: ICU

Are the Staff Specially Trained for ICU?

Each of the members working in our ICU Department and on ICU cases are specially trained and experienced. By working with physicians, our ICU staff ensures that quality care is provided to each patient. The following professionals meet daily to discuss each patient’s progress:

Intensivist
A physician with special training in ICU medicine. Each patient has an Intensivist following his or her care, while in the ICU, at all times.

Hospitalist
A physician who sees patients only in the hospital setting. This professional takes the place of a primary care physician while a patient is hospitalized.

Critical Care RN
A nurse specially trained for ICU cases. In addition to clinical care, your RN also has shared responsibility for communicating with you and your family. A nurse will gladly arrange a convenient time to call one designated family member to provide a daily progress report.

Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT)
As needed, an RRT assists patients with breathing management while they are in the ICU.

Pharmacist
There is a pharmacist on the unit daily to assist with medication administration.

Dietician
A professional who monitors and assists with nutritional needs.

Case Manager/Social Worker
Staff members who assist families by providing support, discharge planning instructions and resources. These professionals also assist with family needs while their loved one recovers.

Who receives SDU care?

The SDU provides specialized clinical care for medically complicated patients. The SDU is a transitional unit for patients stepping down from intensive care or up from general care. Some patient examples include:

• Patients who have been receiving intensive care but no longer require full ICU attention, such as frequent monitoring and/or nursing care, or those in need of minimal organ support requirement.
• Patients admitted from the emergency department or general care with acute clinical changes that require closer, specialized attention, but which do not dictate a move to the ICU.
• Postoperative patients admitted either directly from an operating room or following a short period of observation in a recovery room, for postoperative nursing or other care needs including the monitoring of underlying comorbidities and the effects of surgical and anesthetic interventions in the operating room.

What is some of the technology used?

Garnet Health Medical Center uses advanced technological resources while providing care in the ICU. The following equipment may be used during a patient’s stay:

Monitor
A monitor is used to record heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate.

Patient’s Bed
Technology makes it possible for the patient’s bed to weigh, rotate, reposition and transport patients during their stay. This will help to alleviate and prevent bedsores for patients who are staying for an extended period of time.

Computers
The hospital uses bedside computers to document patient care.

Compression Stockings
These are used to keep optimal blood flow from the patient’s legs to their heart.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/Bi-level Positive Air Pressure (CPAP/BiPAP)
This machine includes a face mask and is used as a non-invasive support for breathing difficulties.

Ventilator
A life support machine used to help patients breathe.

IV Pump
Regulates the flow of medicine to the patient.

What are some questions to ask your ICU team?

We understand that you may not immediately remember all of your questions and concerns during this stressful time. The list below can serve as a guide during your meeting with the ICU Team:

• Why was your family member brought to the ICU?
• What has happened since they arrived?
• What are the main medical problems right now?
• What is the plan of treatment?
• What are other treatment choices?
• What do the physicians expect to happen?
• What medical decisions will the family have to make?

What are some important decisions you may have to make?

You may have to make some important decisions regarding the treatment of your loved one if he or she is unable to communicate. When considering your options, please think about:

• What the patient has said in the past about medical treatments.
• What the patient has said in the past when someone else was seriously ill.
• What you think the patient would say if he or she could join us in the discussions.
• Who will be making the healthcare decisions for the patient (Healthcare Proxy) if necessary.

What are some guidelines to follow when in the ICU?

In order to provide a comfortable healing environment for your loved one, we kindly request your assistance with the following:

Rest
Allowing a patient to rest is one of the most important priorities after a health emergency. Please allow the patient time to rest. The body requires this ‘down time’ to recover appropriately. It is also suggested that family members receive enough rest in order to be a strong support for their recovering loved one.

Visitation
It is recommended that you assist us by limiting visitors and calls to the patient while he or she is in the ICU, as it will help to foster a quicker recovery. Additionally, due to infection risks, children under the age of 14 are not permitted in the ICU. Please understand that this policy is to protect young visitors and the patient.

Privacy
Please be respectful of the closed curtains in a patient’s room. We ask that you wait until the curtain is opened before entering to provide as much privacy as possible.

Gifts
Flowers and latex balloons are not permitted in the ICU.

Phone calls
Please make and take cell phone calls in the ICU Family Waiting Area.