Why has my relative been brought to Critical Care?
Your relative or friend has been admitted to critical care because their body cannot work normally. If they do not get special help, they may have serious long-term effects to their health or they may die. Critical care can provide these treatments using specialist equipment and medications. Critical care is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team that provides this particular level of care not provided in the regular wards.
How can I find out about visiting, contacting by phone or hospital parking?
Many critical care units, or ICUs, will give you an information sheet about contacting the unit by phone, hospital parking, visitation, and overnight accommodation if it is needed. If you’re not given this information, please ask a member of staff.
Visiting hours for critical care can be found on our Visiting hours page.
How can I get an update about my relative’s progress?
You can call the unit for an update at any time. When you visit, the nurse looking after your relative will be able to update you about their progress. If you require a medical update, you can ask to see a doctor on the unit. It can be helpful to us if you ring the unit in the morning (after 9am) and speak to the nurse in charge to request a medical update. This allows us time to let the doctors for the day make plans to speak to you.
To make the most of your time together at a meeting with doctors, you may find it helpful to think about your questions and what you might want to discuss beforehand. We also advise that, if possible, families update each other about any changes in condition after they have visited or have spoken to the doctors or nurses.
Will I be told if anything happens to my relative?
Patients’ conditions can change rapidly and may fluctuate frequently if they are very ill. Sadly, some of our patients will die. If anything happens or if there are significant changes in your relatives condition you will be notified. On admission the nurses will take contact details and preferences about who to call and in what order.
What is a medically induced coma?
When patients are critically ill and need organ support, they are given sedative medications (similar to anaesthesia) to keep them comfortable and allow their bodies to rest. This allows us to provide the support they need (for example ventilation through a breathing tube)
I don’t understand all the equipment and machines in the bedspace.
The nurses on shift will be able to explain all aspects of patient care. There is a large poster in the relative’s waiting room detailing the function of some of the equipment we use.
Is my relative in pain or distressed and what can I do to comfort them?
Very unwell patients are kept comfortable with strong medications to keep them asleep and relaxed. We monitor this sedation very carefully. Nurses and doctors will talk to the patients when they are attending to them. We advise friends or family to do the same. You may want to bring familiar objects or music that you think may be comforting for them.
Can children visit the critical care unit?
This is a decision we advise you to take as a family. The hospital environment may be upsetting and confusing for children. If you decide to allow them to visit, we have play specialist nurses who can help your children understand and assist with visiting. Ask the nurse in charge for details.
What after effects are likely after someone has been critically ill?
This will depend on many factors, for example the cause of their illness, length of time here and their general health beforehand. Generally speaking, patients will need ongoing physiotherapy and rehabilitation for some time. Information about rehabilitation and physiotherapy is available in the ICU steps booklets in the relative’s room.
Why is my relative confused after a long critical care stay or medically induced coma?
Often patients experience periods of unconsciousness due to sedatives that are given here. This leads to missing time and awareness of events. It can also cause temporary confusion, insomnia, and memory loss. Critical illness can have the same effect. These effects are common. We sometimes prescribe medications to help with this alongside physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
There is also a patient diary filled in by the nurses detailing pertinent facts and events. This can be used by the patient later to revisit events and provide some structure. Family members or next of kin are free to make entries in the diary. There is a follow up clinic that patients can contact to ask questions about their admission. Please ask the nurse in charge for details.
Why has my relative been transferred to another ICU?
Sometimes patients in a critical care unit, or ICU, may have to be moved to an ICU in a different hospital. This could be because the patient needs specialist care that is not available locally. Also, patients can occasionally be moved to other hospitals to make room for new patients when the intensive care unit here is full. We transfer the most stable and suitable patients out to admit new patients. This is rare and can be very upsetting for you and you may have to travel further to visit your friend or relative. However, patients are only moved to a different hospital when it is necessary.
What happens when my relative goes to the ward?
When your relative is discharged, the receiving medical team accepts the patient and is updated by our doctors. It may well be that they have already seen the patient in critical care and are familiar with them.
The critical care outreach team will review the patient within 24hrs of their discharge and follow them up as and when necessary. This helps us check on their progress and for them to adapt to the ward environment.
