I wanted to write a series of entries for family members who are in the ICU room of a very sick patient.
1. Your loved may be in the ICU because they got very sick while in the hospital or they were seriously ill enough to need direct transfer to the ICU, known as "the unit."
2. Your loved one may be in the ICU because they have a condition that is easily manageable but they need to be in the ICU because closer, more vigilant monitoring is available there. There are generally more nurses per patient in the ICU.
3. Ask questions, no matter what they are.
4. We might not always know when your family member will leave the ICU because conditions can change quickly, or we're waiting for a floor bed in the non-ICU part of the hospital.
5. You will at some point be asked to make medical decisions for your loved one if you're the medical power of attorney. It will be hard but you will have all of the support available to you that you will need.
6. It's okay for you to hit the "call nurse" button on the phone for something your loved one needs. You don't have to get frustrated roaming the unit looking for the doctor.
7. It's okay for you to tell us if something happens like urine suddenly being brown or red, or a lot of choking and gagging.
8. If your loved one is intubated, the doctors have medicine to help their breathing tube be more comfortable for them, like sedation medicines like fentanyl and versed. It also helps them from pulling out the breathing tube by themselves which is very unsafe.
9. If your loved one seems to become confused, let us know. We will investigate it. It's often due to them being very sick or a side effect of a necessary or helpful medicine. It will help them become less confused if you remind them where they are and if you open the blinds during the day to let light in.
10. Wash your hands very well before and after you touch your loved one and be aware of any infections they are treated for. Wash your hands upon coming in and out of the ICU.
No comments:
Post a Comment