When a patient is in the hospital’s intensive care unit, family members often have many questions. Who can they turn to and what needs to be considered around the patient’s visit? We answer frequently asked questions about the intensive care unit.
Intensive care unit: who can relatives ask?
Ask – the more you know, the less threatening the situation seems! The doctor in charge will be able to tell you more details about the person’s condition and may also be able to give a prognosis about when the patient will be transferred to a normal ward. The nurses are in constant contact with the patient, so they can also tell you how he or she is doing and what you might be able to do for him or her.
It is helpful for both you and the staff if you designate a main contact person within the family whom the staff can contact, who can also bundle questions (and appointments) somewhat and in turn pass on information.
Frequently asked questions about the ICU
A number of questions often arise for family members of patients in the ICU, such as those regarding
- Length of stay
- Visit
- Souvenirs
- Contact
Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
Length of stay: how long do you stay in the ICU?
Most often the question is asked how long the affected person must stay in the intensive care unit. There is no universal answer for this. A planned stay after surgery can last only a few hours, but it can also last days; a life-threatening emergency can also have turned into a stable situation in a short time, but it can also worsen due to complications.
Visits: is it okay to visit someone in the ICU?
Whether and how much visiting is appropriate depends on the condition of the patient. The number of visitors is usually limited to 2. Whether children are allowed and at what age must be discussed with the staff.
Visiting times are often given, however, visits that deviate from these are often allowed, in which case waiting times must be accepted (because the patient is currently being treated).
Bringing along: which gifts are suitable?
Personal items such as books, CDs, toiletries, etc. are usually no problem; if the patient can eat himself, food is also allowed. These are often even specifically requested by the staff to stimulate the patient’s appetite again with his favorite food. Flowers are taboo.
Contact: What should you talk about?
If the affected person is responsive, address his or her wishes. Tell about everyday life, also talk about your fears and the situation. If you or the patient feel overwhelmed, you can also ask the staff for a contact person to mentally accompany you through this time.
If your loved one is unconscious, imagine that he is still aware of everything – through hearing, feeling, smelling. Treat him accordingly: Stroke him or hold his hand, talk to him or read something to him, put on a tape of his favorite music, explain to him what you are doing or what is being done.
The intensive care unit helps save lives
Being in an intensive care unit is usually scary and a stressful time for everyone involved. Always keep the goal in mind: averting a situation that might otherwise cost your loved one his or her life. You may find it a little easier to get through these days.
