Admission to the ICU can be an overwhelming and uncertain experience, both for patients and their loved ones. In my previous discussions, I covered what the ICU is and what typically occurs during a stay there. Now, it’s important to consider what questions to ask the ICU team to better understand the process and actively participate in the care. By asking the right questions, you can gain a clearer picture of what to expect, and work collaboratively with the ICU team to ensure the best possible outcome for yourself or your loved one.
Share your contacts
When a loved one is admitted to the ICU, it’s important to ensure that the medical team has the correct phone number to contact the family in case of any updates or emergencies. Often, patients assume that providing their family’s phone number during admission means that it’s automatically registered in their medical chart and accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and the information can sometimes be overlooked or misplaced. Therefore, it’s a good idea to double-check with the ICU team and make sure that the contact information is accurate and up-to-date, to avoid any delays or miscommunication during a stressful and challenging time.
Ask their contacts
Getting updates on a loved one in the ICU can be a challenging and stressful process, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the hospital’s procedures. Typically, when you call the hospital, you’ll be directed to the ICU, and from there, you’ll need to ask for your loved one’s nurse to get updates, ask questions, or provide any necessary information. This process can be time-consuming and frustrating, but there’s a simpler way. Always ask the patient’s nurse or unit secretary about how to contact the ICU directly. In many cases, they can provide you with a direct phone number to the unit or even a nurse’s phone number, so you can communicate more easily and get the information you need without the added stress.
Get the Privacy Code
Hospitals follow strict guidelines to ensure that patient information is kept confidential in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). One of these measures is providing a privacy code to the patient’s family. This unique code must be provided when calling the ICU to obtain updates or information about the patient. Without this code, the ICU team is unable to provide any details, as it is crucial to protect the patient’s privacy and comply with HIPAA regulations. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you have the privacy code handy and ready to provide when contacting the ICU to receive information about your loved one’s condition.
Learn the Visitation Policy
Visiting a loved one in the ICU is an essential part of providing support and staying informed about their care. However, it’s important to understand that each hospital and ICU has its own visitation policy. Some hospitals have an open ICU policy, which means you can visit your loved one at any time. However, some hospitals may limit visitation during shift changes or at night, and there may be exceptions to regular visitation policies due to issues like the COVID-19 pandemic. To avoid any confusion or inconvenience, it’s crucial to ask the ICU team about the visitation policy and any exceptions that may apply.
Additionally, many ICUs have an age limit for visitors, usually prohibiting young children from entering the unit. It’s important to ask about the age cutoff before bringing younger family members to the ICU, as this policy is in place to protect them from hospital-acquired infections. By understanding the visitation policy, you can plan your visits accordingly and ensure that you are providing the best support for your loved one while keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Meet the intensivist
To be an effective advocate for your loved one in the ICU, you need to know when and how to communicate with the medical team. Ask about the best time to meet with the intensivist managing your loved one’s care. Many hospitals allow family members to participate in daily multidisciplinary rounds (MDRs), which provide an excellent opportunity to gather information about your loved one’s condition and treatment plan.
If your ICU permits participation in MDRs, make every effort to attend. This is the most critical time to obtain information about your loved one’s care, as the ICU team will discuss the entire treatment plan in detail. Additionally, some hospitals set aside a specific “family round” time, usually 1-2 hours in the afternoon, during which the intensivist meets with family members to provide updates and answer questions.
It’s crucial to ask about these opportunities and attend the meetings as much as possible. ICU physicians are often busy with emergencies, and the designated time for family discussions may be your only chance to get the information you need to effectively advocate for your loved one.
