Intensive Care Unit

CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System has four specialized critical care units with a dedicated intensivist team. Physicians known as intensivists practice exclusively in the intensive care units (ICUs), directing care for patients with critical illnesses and complex needs. Our surgical, medical, cardiovascular and cardiac ICUs are designed specifically to help those who could benefit from more intense, hands-on care. We provide both physical and emotional support by being there for patients and families when their needs are greatest.

The kind of medical care patients receive in the ICU depends on their medical needs. The care ranges from close blood sugar monitoring to managing ketoacidosis - a complication in which the body cannot use the sugar in blood for fuel), while others need life support such as ventilators to help them breathe.

All visitors are required to wear a guest badge while on premises.

• Although the ICU has open visitation, we encourage you to visit while the patient is likely to be awake and allow them to sleep at night. In certain circumstances, you may be asked to limit visiting during the day. Rest is very important to patients in the ICU.
• Two visitors are permitted in the ICU at a time, immediate family preferred. When more than two visitors are present, visitors are asked to take turns so everyone gets a chance to see the patient. Visitors waiting turn for visits must wait in the waiting room, not in the hallway.
• Visitors are encouraged to go home at night to allow the patient to sleep undisturbed. Visitors may call the ICU at night for brief updates on the patient. Visitors may not sleep in patient rooms overnight.
• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to visit the ICU because of the risk of infection for both the patient and the child. Many children are unable to deal with the critical nature of the illnesses represented in the ICU. If there are special concerns or needs, please feel free to discuss these with your nurse. We will be as accommodating as possible based on your individual needs and those of other patients.
• No food or drinks are allowed in patient rooms.
• Visitors are not permitted behind the nurse's stations, in kitchens, or linen areas.
• For your convenience, phone calls can be made from the courtesy phone located in the waiting room. Dial nine (9) before making a call. No cell phone use while in the unit. 

We advise that a family member take patient valuables home at the time of admission. If this is not possible, money, wallets, jewelry, and other personal items will be placed in the Hospital safe. The patient will be given a receipt to claim these items. Items in the Hospital safe can be retrieved Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at the Cashier's Office. At other times, the Nursing Supervisor will be able to access them. Please note that the Hospital will not assume responsibility for valuables or items left in patient rooms.

Please feel comfortable to bring any personal belongings that will make your stay more comfortable. Your wireless devices will work in our facility. A locker is provided within the patient room and there will be a safe for valuables available if needed; although we recommend that patients leave their valuables at home if possible.

When you or your loved ones are admitted to the IMCU, please bring a list of medications that includes how much and often you or your loved ones take them. If you do not have a list please bring the medication in its original container.

• Select a family spokesperson who can speak for all of you and who can share new information with the entire family. To protect patient privacy, we ask that the spokesperson select a password so that patient information may be obtained by telephone.
• Be sure to share the wishes of the patient regarding surgery, life support, dialysis, and other difficult decisions with the physician and unit staff.
• Make sure the staff knows how to contact you in case of an emergency or if you are not at the Hospital.
• Ask the nurses what you can do to help.
• Take care of yourself. You are best able to give support when you are rested and nourished. In critical care, questions often arise that doctors and nurses simply cannot answer. The condition of a patient in critical care is often unpredictable, and physicians may only be able to give you their best assessment of the situation. We know this is frustrating and difficult; however, it is important to keep this in mind as you speak with your doctors and nurses.

As a courtesy to other waiting room guests, we ask that noise be kept to a minimum. This is a very difficult time for some, so keeping television volume and conversations to a minimum level will assist in this effort. Parents of small children may want to utilize the waiting areas located on the first floor, adjacent to the main entrance.

Our ICU waiting room is capable of accommodating many; however, it is important to ensure room for the families of all of our patients. If you have a large number of people, please consider having some of your group use the first floor waiting areas while one or two family members remain in the ICU waiting room.