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Frequently asked questions | Facilities available to visitors | Advice for visitors

 

Frequently asked questions

 

 

Who can visit a patient staying in ICU?

Most patients who are staying in intensive care are not in a position to tell us who they would, or would not, like to visit them. It is, therefore, customary for the ICU staff to ask the patient’s next of kin who is permitted to visit.

 

 

Who is the 'next of kin'?

The next of kin is defined by the patient themselves. When the patient has been able to nominate someone as next of kin, it is to this person that we would turn to for advice about the patient's care. The next of kin does not need to be related to the patient, if they are nominated by the patient.

If the patient has not had the opportunity to nominate anybody as 'next of kin', we would prefer to seek advice from whoever we believe to be 'closest' to the patient and best able to reflect their wishes, for example their current partner or closest relative.

 

 

Can friends of patients visit them in ICU?

If you would like to visit someone who is a patient staying in the John Farman Intensive Care Unit, and you are not a relation, please ask the patient's next of kin if you may visit. The ICU staff can give you the contact details of this person, on request

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Who shouldn't visit patients in ICU?

For the safety and well-being of our patients and their visitors, we discourage visits from:

• People who are currently inpatients in other wards or medical facilities (in case they carry infections in or out of the ICU);
  
  
• Children aged under six years (see our policy below).

 

Our policy on children visiting patients staying in ICU

• Infants (babies aged under 1 year) do not have a fully developed immune system. Therefore, there is a small risk that they might pick up an infection from the ICU. It is, therefore, safer that they do not visit the ICU.
  
  
• Babies and young children aged under 3 years will not be able to understand the ICU environment, might find it frightening, and would probably gain little from a visit to the ICU.
  
  
• Children aged between 3 and 6 years vary in their ability to understand explanations. Some children of this age would benefit from visiting a sick relative, particularly if there was a possibility that they might not see them again, whereas others would find the experience distressing. The child's parents are in the best position to decide whether a visit would be beneficial or not. If you would like a child to visit the ICU, please discuss this with the nurse looking after the patient, who can help you to prepare the child by explaining beforehand what to expect.

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When can I visit a patient staying in ICU?

Visits to the ICU are allowed at any time, except during the consultants' ward rounds (see below) and when we are giving treatment, taking X-rays etc.

 

 

How long can I stay?

You may spend as long as you wish at the patient's bedside. However, do bear in mind that both you and the person you are visiting will need to rest. Don't feel that you have to spend extended periods of time, especially when the patient is unconscious. It can be useful to rest as much as possible while patients are unconscious, so you can have more energy later on when they might need you more. You can always 'phone for an update.

 

 

When are consultants' ward rounds?

Visitors are not allowed on the ICU during the consultants' morning ward round, which takes place from 0900 to 1230, every day (including Saturdays and Sundays). This might seem inconvenient, but the ICU is small, and it would be impossible for ICU staff to discuss each patient's progress without other patients' relatives overhearing what was being said. This, as we are sure you will understand, would be a breach of every patient's right to medical confidentiality.

 

Sometimes, ward rounds can last past 1230, and visitors will be asked to wait in the Visitors' Room. If we know you are waiting during the ward round, we can call you in at the end of the round.

In certain circumstances, visitors may visit during the morning ward round, for example if the patient is dying or treatment has been withdrawn, or when a patient is first admitted to intensive care.

 

There is also an afternoon ward round from 1500 to 1630 every day (including Saturdays and Sundays). During the afternoon ward round, visitors will be asked to leave just while the doctors are seeing the patients in each bay.

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Can I visit a patient as soon as they are admitted to the ICU?

It can take anything up to two hours to stabilise a patient following admission to ICU. We know you are anxious to see your relative as soon as possible, but the staff need to be allowed to concentrate all their efforts on attending to the patient. Telephone enquiries and requests to visit at this time can also be very distracting.

 

 

How many visitors?

Usually, only two visitors are allowed at the bedside at any one time, so that the presence of visitors does not interfere with the care of the patients.

 

Why are some patients cared for in side rooms and some in bays of the main unit?

Some patients would benefit from care in a side room away from other patients. At other times, patients are admitted where there is space on the ICU. Being in a side room does not mean that the patient is more or less ill.

 

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When can I enquire about the patient by 'phone?

Patients are staying on the ICU because they need high levels of care and attention from the nursing and medical staff. Responding to multiple telephone calls can distract the staff from this care. It is, therefore, helpful if telephone enquiries are only made by one person, the 'nominated contact'.

 

 

Who can phone for updates?

Shortly after a patient is admitted to the ICU, the staff will need to identify a member of the family (or friend) as the 'nominated contact' to make and receive telephone calls about the patient and pass this information on to family and friends. It is helpful if you discuss good times to 'phone for updates eg avoiding times when the nursing staff are handing over from one shift to the next.

 

Nursing hand-overs take place between 0700 and 0730, 1330 and 1400, and 2100 and 2130 (times to avoid phoning if possible).

 

 

When can I speak to a doctor?

If you would like to speak to any of the medical staff, just ask the nurse looking after your relative. Dr Park regularly sees relatives on Tuesdays 1200 to 1300, and Dr Mackenzie regularly sees relatives on Fridays 1300 to 1500.

 

Who is the nurse-in charge?

For every shift, the ICU has a nominated nurse-in-charge, who is either a senior staff nurse (SSN) or sister. To find out who the nurse-in-charge is, ask either the nurse looking after your relative, the ward clerk, or look on the white board behind the reception desk.

 

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Facilities available to visitors

 

 

Visitors' Room

The Visitors' Room is for the use of visitors to the John Farman ICU only.

The entrance to the Visitors' Room is located in the entrance foyer to the John Farman ICU, and is the second door on the right as you enter the foyer from Ward D3.

 

The room is equipped with comfortable chairs, facilities for making tea and coffee, a microwave oven and a small fridge for visitors to keep food in. There is also a television, a radio-cassette recorder and a public pay-phone (01223 411 648). Just outside the entrance to the Visitors' Room is the visitors' toilet.

 

Note: Mobile telephones may not be used in any clinical area.

 

 

Looking after yourself

If you are a visitor to the ICU, it is important that you look after yourself, eat and drink healthily and take some breaks. It is a good idea to go for short walks and get some fresh air away from the stresses of hospital.

 

 

Where can I get refreshments?

Food and drink is available at most times of the night and day from a number of locations: in the concourse on Level 2, and in the Food Court leading off from the concourse, where you will find a mini supermarket, newsagent, burger bar, jacket potatoes, pizza, sandwiches, coffee bars,

Snacks and cold drinks can also be purchased from dispensers located outside the entrance to Ward D3 on Level 2, and in the Food Court.

 

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Other facilities

The concourse and its adjacent areas have a number of excellent and useful facilities to make life easier for those who cannot easily leave Addenbrooke's, for whatever reason. These include a bank, chapel, post-box and various advisory services.

 

For visitors who need Internet or e-mail access, there are four computer terminals providing free access 24-hours per day located in the Hospital's main reception area, just off the concourse. Also, there is a Cambridge Online City computer and an NHS Direct terminal in Outpatients, which is open during weekdays.

 

These facilities are some of the best in any hospital in the UK.

 

 

Visitor accommodation

Occasionally, it is necessary or desirable for visitors to stay in or near Addenbrooke's, either because they live too far away, or because the patient is critically ill. The hospital has limited accommodation facilities, but when they are available, it can offer accommodation at either Pemberton House or Duxford House.

 

ICU Visitors' Room: Occasionally, some relatives opt to spend the night in the Visitors' Room.

 

> Accomodation for relatives of patients

 

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Advice for visitors

 

 

How to look after yourself as a visitor and things that might help

Having a friend or relative stay in intensive care can be extremely stressful, particularly during periods of critical illness.

It is important to remember that during this time the patient themselves is usually completely unaware of what is going on, and so the stress and anxiety is borne entirely by you.

At this stage, it is important that you look after yourself as much as possible because you will need all your strength and resilience later on, when the patient is convalescing and probably making more demands on you.

• Do visit as often as you want to. Do not feel that you need to be at the bedside all the time. If you can't face a visit, don't feel guilty.
  
  
• Do share the visiting with other relatives and friends.
  
  
• Try and visit with a friend or relative who can provide you with some support, even if they don't come into ICU with you.
  
  
• Do ask for help from family, friends and neighbours to get to and from the hospital and to help you with shopping and household chores.
  
  
• Do not neglect your own needs. Try and eat proper regular meals and get regular periods of rest.
  
  
• Do share any concerns you might have about your health with your general practitioner (GP).

 

Is there anything I can do to help?

It is easy to feel useless and helpless when visiting ICU. Most visitors have never had to visit a patient in an intensive care unit before, and for at least some of the time the patient will be unconscious or heavily sedated. You do not have to do anything when visiting, but some people find it easier to be doing something to help. Examples might include:

• Massaging the patient's hands and feet
  
  
• Reading the patient a favourite book or newspaper, or letting them know what is happening at home
  
  
• Helping the nurse with simple tasks such as washing, shaving and mouth care
  
  
• If the patient is in a side room, it can be relaxing to bring some tapes of music they enjoy

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Can a patient hear me when they are unconscious?

We think that hearing is one of the first senses to recover after sedation or a period of unconsciousness. This is why the doctors and nurses explain to patients, even when they are unconscious, what they are about to do. Some people find it comforting to talk to the patient - but do not be afraid or embarrassed. No one knows whether a loved one can hear you or not at a particular time, but it can help you to retain a connection to them 'as a person'.

 

 

Is there anything I can do to help the patient (if and) when they recover?

One of people's main comments when they recover from a period of critical illness is that they cannot account for all the time lost whilst they have been ill. A simple thing you could do to help prepare your loved one for this phase of their hospital stay is to keep a simple diary for them. It doesn’t have to be anything more fancy than a small notebook which you or the nurses can keep at the bedside. Then, whenever you or anyone else visits and has something they would like to say, it can be jotted down in the diary. The entries don't have long or profound: simple, personal and relevant is best.

 

For example:

Monday 12 July.
Not very nice weather, although the garden is looking lovely, especially where you did all the weeding in the Spring.
Mrs Jacobs sends her kindest regards. Your nurse Sarah says you are doing well today, although you had a bit of a rough night.

 

Tuesday 13 July.
We've brought you a drawing we did on the computer.
Love you lots granddad, from Tilly and Jacob.

We have found that diaries such as these can help the patients (and you) when they are strong enough to read them. It helps them to put all the pieces together again for themselves.

 

You might also save some newspapers from the period they were unconscious – it can be disconcerting to find that they have missed out on major world events, or even characters leaving TV series.

 

 

Who can help me as a visitor?

Having a friend or relative in intensive care is very stressful. Apart from the strain of having someone close to you who is very unwell, there might be related financial or legal worries. If you need help for yourself, or would just like to talk to someone, the nurse looking after your relative will be able to put you in touch with someone who can offer help, advice and information. Help is available from a number of sources within the hospital including:

• The Social Services Department at Addenbrooke's (for non-medical problems)
• The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) has masses of information, and visiting advisors from a number of agencies including The Citizens Advice Bureau, Disability Cambridgeshire and the Cambridge City Council Housing Advice Service
• The Hospital chaplaincy

 

 

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