Intensive Care Unit

ICU Guidelines
Visiting Guidelines
Telephone
Spokesperson
Personal Belongings and Gifts
Taking Care of Yourself
Chaplain and Social Services
Cafeteria Hours

ICU Guidelines

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is designed to provide ongoing, specialized care by trained personnel. Patients are admitted to the ICU because of monitoring and support offered only in a critical care unit. It is our goal to have our nurses available to address patient care needs. The ICU guidelines are provided to enable our nurses to achieve this goal. We request that all visitors abide by these guidelines.

Various monitors and equipment may be used to care for your family member. Most often the alarms you hear are merely signals that assist the intensive care nurses in delivering care. Please do not try to adjust the equipment yourself.

If you have questions or concerns about the patient, do not hesitate to express them to the physician or the intensive care nurses. Or if you have special questions or concerns about the care your loved one is receiving in the ICU, please contact the manager at (573) 632-5350.

Visiting Guidelines

• Visiting hours are individualized per patient per nurse discretion. Hours closed to visitation are from 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., during shift report to maintain patient confidentiality. Do not call the ICU during closed visitation times.
• To enter the ICU during open visiting hours lift the telephone handset outside of the ICU entrance, which will automatically call into the ICU main desk. Inform the receptionist of your name and the name of the patient you would like to visit. the staff member will then confirm if a visit is advisable.
• Please limit two visitors per visitation.
• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the ICU.
• To provide the best possible care to the patient, visitors are asked to leave the unit when patients are being admitted, during critical situations and/or certain procedures.

Telephone

Visitors are asked not to use the phones in the ICU area. Two phones are provided in the ICU waiting room for your use. To call the ICU waiting room directly, dial (573) 632-5349 or (573) 632-5352.

Spokesperson

In order for the ICU staff to maintain communication with those concerned and provide the best possible care, we do require that a spokesperson be designated. This person will be responsible for keeping other loved ones updated on the patient’s condition. Please ask the designated spokesperson any questions you have regarding a patient condition.

Personal Belongings and Gifts

Due to limited space, we ask that a minimal amount of belongings be brought into the ICU. Cards, balloons and notes are welcome gifts for ICU patients. To reduce the risk of infection, please do not send or bring flowers or food. Please consider this when remembering your friend or relative.

Taking Care of Yourself

Having a loved one in the ICU can be a difficult and stressful time. It is important for you to take care of yourself by eating meals and getting rest. Therefore, we encourage you to return home for the night and if you should need assistance with lodging while your loved one is a patient, please contact the Patient Representative at (573) 632-5204 or the House Supervisor at (573) 632-5203.

Chaplain and Social Services

A chaplain is available 24 hours a day for emergency needs. To contact the chaplain, call (573) 632-5035. The prayer room is located on the first floor. Social Work staff counsels patients and their families in regard to financial and emotional assistance. Notify the ICU nurses if you wish to speak to someone from either of these services.

Smoking Policy

Capital Region Medical Center is a tobacco-free environment. Visitors are encouraged to follow CRMC's smoking policy and refrain from smoking anywhere on the property.

Cafeteria Hours

6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m - Breakfast
11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Lunch
4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Supper