During and after a stay in ICU

Staying in ICU

Patient care

• Our multidisciplinary team of nurses, doctors, allied health, administrative and support personnel provide 24 hour care for our patients.
• Intensive care offers highly technical support for our critically ill patients and they will have lots of equipment and monitors attached to them and around them.
• Due to the intense nature of the care we provide, our medical and nursing staff numbers remain constant throughout the day with little difference between day, night and weekends.
• At times, it will be necessary to ask you to wait outside when we have to attend to patients or procedures. When this happens, please return to the waiting room and buzz again to come back in after the given timeframe.
• Sometimes, our patients may leave the unit for a long period of time to undergo a procedure such as a CT scan, angiogram or go to the operating theatre.

Supporting you

• We have a team of hospital volunteers who will be able to assist you at the entry to ICU and will often be your first point of contact. Our volunteers do not work after business hours and during weekends. If you have any concerns, please talk to one of our nurses.
• We aim to meet with you regularly to keep you informed about the patient’s progress.
• We will update you on the patient’s care, explain treatments, give you timelines and offer guidance. Your bedside nurse will be able to help you with these matters.
• We ask that you nominate one family member as the contact person. This is to ensure consistent information is provided and enables the bedside nurse to focus on the patient and not be distracted by a large number of calls.
• Our social workers are available to provide advice and support.
• Our staff have experience caring for patients of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Please let us know if you have any special requirements.
• The ICU is an open unit and other patients will be visible. You may see things that disturb or upset you. If you feel faint or unwell, please notify the closest staff member immediately.

Consent

• Explanation and consent is required for certain procedures and treatments and for all operations.
• The Powers of Attorney Act and the Guardianship and Administration Act allows carers or family to provide consent when the patient lacks the capacity to consent.
• We will make sure information provided through the consent process is understood by the patient and where appropriate by their carer or family.
• We may ask a family member to make a decision if the patient is unconscious and needs emergency treatment.
• A social worker will talk to the family or carer to determine who will act as the decision-maker. If a family member cannot be reached, we may still need to proceed with emergency treatment. This is only done considering the patient’s best interests.

ICU research

You may be asked if your family member can participate in current research studies and reviews being performed in ICU. You will have time to read about the research and ask questions. Involvement in research is voluntary and you may withdraw your relative from participation at any time.

Visiting hours

• Visiting hours in ICU are 24 hours a day unless otherwise indicated by our medical or nursing staff.
• Please note, sometimes visitors will be asked to leave the patient’s bedside due to patient care, doctor or nursing handovers and general operational duties within ICU.
• We allow 2 visitors at a time, as space is limited at the bedside.
• Children are welcome to visit. Please talk to our nursing staff or social workers before bringing children in to make sure there is proper support.
• Please switch mobile phones off before you walk into ICU as it can interfere with our medical equipment. Mobile phones and recording devices are not allowed to be used in the unit and photos cannot be taken.
• Please do not bring food or drinks into ICU.
• Our visitor information page has more information including where to park and what’s in and around the hospital.

Infection prevention

Patients in ICU are very unwell and their condition makes it easier for them to pick up infections. The infection can cause a patient’s condition to worsen and increase their time in ICU or in hospital.

It is important that visitors follow our hygiene rules:

• When you first walk into ICU, please use the hand sanitiser provided at the entry.
• Please wash your hands again at the patient’s bedside each time you arrive and before you leave.
• You may be asked to wear a gown and gloves while visiting.
• For your own safety, you must wear shoes at all times.
• Please do not bring flowers, plants and large fluffy toys into the unit.
• If you are unwell, please ask the nurse if it is suitable for you to visit.

When patients leave ICU

Our patients are transferred to a ward when they are no longer critically ill. There is no doubt that there will be anxiety over the move for many people. Please talk to us about your concerns.

Remember, this is a move in the right direction because:

• A patient’s transfer to the ward is always carefully planned. The patient will be placed in the best position for observation and treatment.
• There is generally less noise and fewer interventions on the ward. This means patients will have a better routine of night time sleep.

On the ward

• Nurses on the ward care for up to 4 patients at a time. Please understand that your family member has been moved to the ward because they no longer need the higher level of nursing observation.
• This is a time when you can become more active in the patient’s care. You can help with feeding, reading and providing positive company for your loved one.
• Social workers can help you cope with the stress of hospitalisation as well as provide strategies for dealing with longer term issues.
• Find out more about general hospital services such as meal times, general visiting hours and laundry services.

Leaving hospital

Decisions regarding discharge from hospital will be made by the medical team responsible for the patient’s care in the ward. This will include information provided by other health professionals involved in the patient’s care.

Here is some important information that will help you and your family member prepare for discharge.