PROGRESSIVE CARE UNIT (PCU)
Progressive care defines the care that is delivered to patients whose needs fall along the less acute end of that continuum. Progressive care patients are moderately stable with less complexity, require moderate resources and require intermittent nursing vigilance or are stable with a high potential for becoming unstable and require increased intensity of care and vigilance.
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU)
Intensive care is advanced and highly specialized care provided to medical or surgical patients whose conditions are life threatening and require comprehensive care and constant monitoring.
Arranging a Visit
When you arrive, please call the Unit from the front desk or from the red visitor phone located in the ICU/PCU waiting room to make sure it is a good time to visit - this helps preserve the privacy of our patients.
Who can Visit
It is recommended that immediate family members and significant others only visit in these units. However, we understand that on occasion a good friend may be as important to the patient and will be allowed to visit. Sometimes the patient/family may want to restrict visits during the first few days of hospitalization - please let us know if this is the case.
Can children visit?
Generally, only children 14 and over shoudl visit; however, exceptions can be made for special circumstances. Because it can be frightening for small children to see a loved one in either of these Units, we must prepare them in advance. We give them counseling and age-appropriate information before and after a visit to either Unit. Children must be accompanied by an adult in the Units and in the waiting room. Please supervise your children at all times.
Number of Visitors
Two people may visit at a time depending on the patient's condition. Please respect the nurse's judgment, but feel free to discuss with him or her if this poses a problem for the family.
Length of Visit
The bedside nurse will decide the length of the visit based on your loved one's condition. You may be asked to leave the room for patient rest, doctor visits, nursing shift changes, tests and other procedures that require privacy and confidentiality. You may also be asked to leave if an urgent situation arises with another patient in the Unit.
Gifts to the Units
Small, non-breakable, low-value gifts are best. NO food, fresh flowers or plants. YES to silk flowers, small balloons (not latex), pictures and cards.
Waiting Rooms
Waiting rooms are available so families and friends can take a break from a visit or wait nearby. Please limit the size of groups using the waiting room for the comfort of everyone using them. The waiting rooms have a phone to call the ICU/PCU desk; and helpful information about the hospital.
A few rules apply:
- No cell phones or laptop computers should be used in patient rooms. They can interfere wtih equipment. However, they can be used in waiting rooms.
- No overnight stays. If there are special circumstances that require you to stay, please see the nurse.
- Please respect the needs of others for a calm and quiet atmosphere.
- If you eat a snack in the waiting room, please clean up. We recommend that you eat your meals in the cafeteria.
- Please help us keep the area clean and tidy.