Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

ICU and the Health Care Team

Welcome to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The ICU is a specialized patient care unit, carefully designed, equipped, and staffed to provide the highest quality individualized care for critically ill patients. Patient care in this unit is under the direction of a specially trained physician. Additionally, consults are available with physician specialists in numerous specialty and subspecialty areas of medicine. Staff residents are also part of our intensive care team. Direct patient care is provided by Registered Nurses (RNs) who have special training and the clinical skills needed to care for patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Each nurse is responsible for the care and monitoring of one to three patients, depending on the patient's condition. This allows nurses to closely monitor their patient's condition for early signs of change so that immediate treatment can begin.

You may see other members of Sparrow's health care team coming in contact with your loved one. Care may also be given by orderlies, members of Sparrow's Cardio-Pulmonary Therapy Team, Laboratory, Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy, X-Ray, Social Services, Food and Nutrition Services, and Transport Services. Together with the physicians and nursing members, Sparrow's health care providers are committed to providing quality and compassionate care to all Sparrow patients.

Equipment and Alarms

The equipment in the ICU can be overwhelming and frightening. As you become more familiar with each piece you may become more relaxed.

Even more frightening may be the alarms that are on each piece of equipment. Television shows have taught us that they mean life-threatening danger. In a hospital rarely does it mean an emergency. These different signals are giving information to the nurses. Please do not be afraid or panic when you hear one.

For patient's safety, we have placed video cameras in rooms which cannot be directly seen from the nursing station. These cameras are for nurse monitoring and do not make a tape recording. In order to provide privacy for patients during personal care and procedures, the camera is turned off.

You are an Important Part of our Patient's Care

You can help us because you know your family member better than we do. You may know of individual likes or dislikes that would make it easier for us to care for them and perhaps shorten their stay.

We understand that it can be frightening to see someone you love struggle with a severe illness or injury. We want to help by answering your questions, explaining the equipment, helping you contact your doctor, and helping you get in touch with needed support (i.e., social worker, clergy).

Your questions and comments are important and valuable to us. Sometimes, we may be busy with patient care, and are unable to answer all of your questions immediately. However, we will do our best to answer them as soon as we can. Because our goal is to give you and your family the best care possible, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Telephone Calls into the ICU

We realize you will want to know how your family member is doing. There are no phones in the patient's room. Therefore, we ask each patient and you to choose one designated caller and notify the ICU. This person can call 517-364-2263, 24 hours a day, and talk to the nurse caring for your loved one. All others are encouraged to call the designated caller for specific information. Other callers will be given a condition report only. This is to protect the privacy of the patient and decrease the interruptions to their nursing care. In the ICU, patient's conditions are fair, serious, or critical. Please try to avoid calling between shift changes (7-8:30 a.m. and p.m.).

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is located in the basement. It serves a variety of foods, including hot meals, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The only time the cafeteria is closed is between 3:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Smoking

Smoking is allowed outside of the hospital only. There are benches, tables, and sheltered areas on the north side of the building where you can eat and smoke. There is also a smoking patio area on the basement level near the surgical lounge.

Patient Valuables and Personal Belongings

Storage space is limited in patient rooms. Personal belongings (clothing, bags) and all items of value, such as money and jewelry, must be taken home. If this cannot be done, valuables can be stored in the hospital safe until discharge from the hospital. Eye glasses, dentures, hearing aids, or other items that may be needed are always allowed. Small toiletries that may help make your family member more comfortable or provide special skin care are appreciated.

Although space is limited, cards, balloons, and pictures help to brighten a patient's room. Unfortunately flowers and plants are not permitted. Please wait until your relative has left the ICU to send flowers or plants.

Visiting the ICU

Family support or support from a significant other is important for the recovery of your loved one. It is also important to allow the patients to get the care and rest they need to get well. By limiting the visitors to immediate family or significant other and only two (2) people visiting at one time, sufficient support can be accomplished. We ask that children under the age of 14 visit the patient after they have been transferred from the ICU.

Visiting hours are individualized to meet the needs of the patients and their family. Visitors are asked to leave the ICU between 7:00a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and 7:00p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Nursing report takes place at these times. This allows for a smooth transfer of patient care and helps to maintain patient confidentiality.

To give your family member privacy during treatment, visitors may be asked to temporarily step out of the ICU to the visitor's lounge. We also ask visitors not gather in the unit so that other patients are not disturbed.

Visitor's Lounge

The Critical Care Lounge is the second door on the right as you leave the ICU. It is open to all visitors from three different critical care units. These units include: the Regional Burn Center, the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, and the Intensive Care Unit. It is open 24 hours a day. Information is posted in the lounge which explains the hospital services and policies. During the day, a volunteer is in the lounge to help you. Public phones, hot water for tea or coffee, and a television are also there for you to use. The restrooms are by the second exit as you leave the lounge.

We ask that you take care of yourself during this time. Each day, plan time away from the hospital. All of us are better able to cope with stress and support others if we do wear ourselves down. Remember to eat, sleep, and if you are on medication, to take it. A nurse will call if there is any change in your loved one's condition. Be sure to give the ICU the phone number where you can be reached. Also, the designated caller may call any time to ask about their family member or friend. Please try to avoid calling between shift changes (7-8:30 a.m. and p.m.).

Pastoral Care

We welcome visits from your own pastor, minister or priest. We also have a chaplain available within the hospital to assist in meeting the patient's and families' spiritual needs. Please notify the nurse if you wish to speak with the hospital chaplain. The hospital also has a chapel on the second floor in the South Wing. It is open 24 hours a day.