Information for families & visitors to the Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units
If your family member has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) this page will provide some helpful information to assist you.
| Visiting |
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| When you visit your loved one you will notice the monitoring equipment at the bedside, some of which will be connected to your family member. We understand this can be very overwhelming. Our Nursing and Medical staff will provide you with reassurance and explanations as to why the equipment is used. |
| Our preferred visiting hours are from 2pm-8pm. Please ask the staff if you wish to visit at other times. There is no visiting between 8-11am and 4-5pm, during the doctors’ regular ward rounds. |
| For the safety and comfort of your loved one we allow only 2 visitors at a time. We recommend that only close family visit. |
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We do not limit the length of your visit however given the critical nature of our patients they require plenty of rest. | |
| Information about your relative |
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| The doctors and nurses will conduct a ward round each day. After this the medical staff will meet with you to discuss the condition of your family member. The nursing staff will also provide information to you at the bedside. |
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You can ring the unit at any time. Due to confidentiality, limited information only will be given. Ring 8405 8000 and ask for ICU. | |
| Spokesperson |
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| We suggest one or two family members be nominated to act as a spokesperson on behalf of your family. This will assist you and us. |
| We request the spokesperson be responsible for relaying information to family and friends. This will also limit the number or calls to the unit and therefore reduce interruptions to patient care. |
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Please do not hesitate to discuss any concerns you may have during your family members stay. | |
| Personal Belongings |
- Toiletries are permitted
- No valuables
- No flowers please (for infection control reasons) |
| Waiting Area |
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This is a shared waiting area for all Intensive Care and Coronary Care visitors. Please respect and consider others. Large family groups should consider limiting the number of visitors in the waiting area. Facilities available:
- Hot/cold drinks and snack vending machine
- Toilets
- Public phone
- TV
| We suggest that if the waiting area is full please use the facilities in the front foyer, or Epping Shopping Plaza. |
| Epping Shopping Plaza has a broad range of facilities and is only a few minutes walk form the main entrance. Please take care when crossing the road. | |
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Services provided in The Northern Hospital's Main Foyer:
- Chapel
- Kiosk
- Coffee shop
- Public phone
- Toilets
- Taxi phone
- ATM
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Other Hospital Services:
- Social Worker
- Patient Advocate
- Pastoral Care
- Interpreters
- Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Please ask the staff if you require any of these services. |
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