The goal of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Northwest Hospital Center is to provide the best and most comfortable care to help your loved one make the best recovery possible.  We depend on you, the family, to assist us in providing your loved one with adequate time for rest and care while they are a patient in the ICU. 

In order for us to do the best job possible, we ask that you help us by observing the following guidelines while visiting in the ICU.

Patient Visiting
You may visit at any time EXCEPT between

7:00� 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 � 7:30 p.m.

We ask that you do not visit or inquire by telephone during these times, when nurses� shifts change and nursing report takes place. This is done so we can protect the privacy of our patients.

• If you have a specific need that requires you to see your loved one during these brief restricted times, please call the ICU and discuss it with the nurse caring for your loved one.
• From 9:00 p.m. each evening, until 7:30 a.m. the next morning, the doors to the ICU will be closed and locked for safety reasons. If you�d like to visit a patient when the doors are closed, please pick up the phone located outside of the ICU area and ask to enter.  This must be done each and every time you visit after 9:00 p.m., even when just stepping out for a short break.
• Visitation is restricted to immediate family, significant others, and religious representatives.
• Please limit visitors to two or three at a time.
• If an emergency or a procedure is occurring in the ICU, visits may be temporarily restricted.  If this happens, you will be allowed to re-enter the ICU as soon as it is possible to do so.

Safety
For safety reasons, please observe the following during your visit.

• Live flowers, plants, food and drinks are NOT allowed in the ICU rooms.  This is to prevent spread of certain types of bacteria.  We ask that you eat in the cafeteria, located in the hospital�s main lobby.
• Do not give your loved one anything to eat or drink without checking with the nurse.
• Children under the age of 12 are only allowed to visit on a case by case basis, with the approval of your loved ones� nurse.  Children often carry illnesses that patients   do not have the strength to fight. 
• If you are sick or have been exposed to illness, please do not visit.
• Use the hand cleanser prior to entering your loved ones room and again when leaving the ICU.  Hand cleansers are located by each patient room door.
• Follow isolation precautions that may be posted on a patient room door.  The nurse will help you with any special equipment that you may need to wear.
• To prevent potential interference with medical equipment, all cell phones must be turned off while in the ICU.  If you need to use a phone, there are phones in each patient room and in the visitor�s lounge (dial 9 to get an outside line). Cell phones may be used in the lounge.

Communication/Privacy

• You will be asked to provide one or two family spokespersons to receive updates on your loved one and to take calls from other family or friends. This will provide your loved ones� nurse with adequate time to provide care and consistent communication.
• To ensure privacy and confidentiality of other patients, please remain inside the patient�s room or in the visitor lounge.

General Information

• Please bring in any eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aides for your loved one.
• Sleeping overnight in the patient�s room is not allowed except in unique circumstances.  Rest is an important part of the healing process for your loved one.  It is also important for you to take time for yourself, so that you can better support your loved one.
• Visitor restrooms are located to the left of the main elevators.

Thank you for helping us provide the best and most comfortable care for your loved one�s stay in the ICU.  If you have any questions, please contact the nurse assigned to your loved one.