Critical Care Unit Visitors' Guide

A Warm Welcome to our Critical Care Units

Our staff is here to help ease your concerns while your loved one is in one of our Critical Care Units. 

Be assured that we are taking the very best care of your loved one. We have a team of caring, experienced staff and our facilities are technologically advanced. Our number one priority is compassionately caring for our patients and helping them recover.

We also care about you. We will communicate clearly through every phase of the recovery process, to help you know what to expect while your loved one is here, what help we need from you, and what you can count on from us.

You Make a Difference

Family and friends are vital to each patient. Because you are familiar and loved, you can relieve the patient's apprehension and anxiety, which can in turn help recovery. You are also important to our care team. We welcome you to our hospital as we strive to make your visit as comfortable as possible while we care for your loved ones. 

About Communication

Designating a contact person

We have found that it works best when you designate one person as the primary contact or spokesperson to consistently communicate with physicians and nurses about your loved one's status and care. That person can provide information and updates to others, enabling our staff to focus on patient care.

Please make sure to provide phone number(s) for the contact person so we may reach him or her when necessary. If we receive outside calls about your loved one, we will direct them to the person designated as the family's primary contact.

Patient privacy and passwords

Due to federal privacy laws, we are only able to provide patient information to authorized individuals. 

For this reason, we establish a patient password, which you may use when asking for patient information. We recommend that you do not share this code with more than two people to help maintain your loved one's privacy.

Asking questions

We welcome your questions at any time. Please use discretion about when and where you discuss the patient's condition, and remember that patients can often hear and understand what is being said around them, even though they may appear to be asleep or sedated. Sometimes it may be better for us to talk privately outside the room.

Visiting Patients

We know you want to spend time with your loved one. However, important factors which contribute to recovery are adequate rest and avoiding over­ stimulation. With these considerations in mind and with our shared commitment to what is best for the patient, the following visitor guidelines are important for you to follow:

• Visiting Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
  • The ICU is closed from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for shift change.
  • Visitors may return at 8:30 a.m. to be present for interdisciplinary rounds.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. 
  (During this time, only one dedicated person is allowed to stay at the bedside and may not switch out)

We use non-visiting times to safely transfer information from one critical care team to the next and allow time for the family/visitors to take care of themselves by getting rest and nutrition. There may also be times during regular visiting hours when we must limit the length of a visit or suspend them altogether. Your loved one's recovery is always our primary focus and we appreciate your understanding on those occasions.

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 age 12 and older may visit with their parent's permission and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. However, we do not encourage visits from children because of the risk of infection to both them and to the patient. Also, seeing a loved one attached to critical care equipment may be difficult for children.

Technology and Equipment

Your loved one's room has sophisticated machines, wires and tubing that are probably unfamiliar to you. Our nurses will be happy to explain what the equipment is. Do not touch any of these sensitive items.

Flowers and Balloons

Although flowers and latex balloons can be thoughtful ways to show you care, we are unable to have them in the ICU because of allergies. Thank you for waiting until a later time to send these items to a non-ICU setting.

Food and Drink

Food is not permitted in the ICU patient care area. Drinks are allowed as long as they are covered.

Help Protect Patient Privacy

Please refrain from congregating outside patient rooms where confidential information can be overheard.

Safeguarding Your Loved One's Health

Handwashing

The best way to prevent the spread of infection is thorough handwashing. Please remember that ICU patients are particularly susceptible, so please wash your hands with soap and water each time you enter the patient's room. In addition, you'll also find antiseptic hand sanitizer dispensers on the wall outside patient rooms for your use.

Avoid Contamination

If experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, or rash, please refrain from entering the ICU to protect patient health. 

Visitors to patients in isolation are subject to isolation guidelines.

For Your Comfort

The ICU guest seating areas are a good place for friends and family members to gather when not visiting the patient. There are guest seating areas available adjacent to both critical care units. Please be respectful of space for other visitors and resist moving the furniture. Please note that the guest seating area is not intended for overnight stays. If you need a place to stay overnight, the Rathgeber Hospitality House is available. For more information about Rathgeber, ask your nurse. 

• Vending Machines are located in the Bethania Building on the 3rd floor. 
• Free Valet Parking is available 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday). 
  • After 8:00 p.m. please contact a member of our security staff by dialing 940-764-8357.
• Our Gift Shop is located on the 1st floor of the Bridwell Tower. 
• An ATM is in the Bethania Building next to the Dining Room. 

Dining Room and Bistro Hours 

The United Regional Dining Room is located on the 1st floor of the Bethania Building and the Bistro is located on the 1st floor of the Bridwell Tower. 

• Dining Room:
  • 7-Days a week: 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. and 12 - 2 a.m. 
• Bistro:
  • Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Spiritual support 

If your loved one or family needs spiritual comfort during this hospital stay, just ask your nurse to arrange a visit from a hospital chaplain. Our chaplains are there to provide support during difficult times.

The Chapel is located in the Bethania Building on the 1st floor.