Family support, adequate rest, and avoidance of overstimulation are important factors for recovery. With all those considerations in mind, and with our shared commitment to what is best for our patients, the following visiting guidelines are important to follow.
Visiting Hours
We welcome visitors in the ICU anytime except 6:30am – 8:30am and 6:30pm – 8:30pm. We use these non-visiting times to safely transfer information from one ICU care team to the next; we appreciate if visitors refrain from calling during these hours to allow for uninterrupted time.
Recovery is always our first concern; there may be times, even within normal visiting hours, when we must restrict the length of visits or suspend them altogether for our patient’s safety and comfort.
Number of Visitors
To avoid overwhelming patients, and to allow our staff adequate space to perform patient care, we ask that you limit visitors to no more than two at a time.
Child Visitors
Children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult, closely supervised around equipment, and never left unattended in the waiting room. Before bringing in children, please be sensitive to their maturity and capacity to handle what they might see in the ICU.
There may be special circumstances (seasonal illnesses, for example) when children are restricted from visiting the ICU. This is done to protect you and other vulnerable patients from exposure to infection and contagious disease.
Technology and Equipment
ICU rooms have sophisticated machines, wires, and tubing that are probably unfamiliar to patients and visitors. Our nurses will be happy to explain what this equipment is and how we’re using it in, but we ask that you not touch any of these sensitive items.
Flowers and Balloons
Although flowers and latex balloons can be thoughtful, we are unable to have them in the ICU. We thank visitors for waiting until a later time to send these items to a non-ICU setting.
Food and Drink
Visitors must first check with the RN before bringing meals or snacks into the ICU.
Cell Phones and Pagers
In consideration of other patients and to minimize disruptions to care, we ask that visitors practice “cell phone and pager courtesy” while visiting the ICU. If necessary, visitors may use cell phones in the hallways or waiting rooms.