Intensive Care Unit
Visitor Information

Mission: "We will strive to give
quality care to our patients and
their loved ones, as if they are
our own.”

ICU Guidelines
The ICU is designed to provide ongoing, specialized care by trained personnel. Patients are admitted to the ICU because of monitoring and support offered only in a critical care unit. It is our goal to have our nurses available to address patient care needs. The ICU guidelines are provided to enable our nurses to achieve this goal. We request that all visitors abide by these guidelines.

Various monitors and equipment may be used to care for your family member. Most often the alarms you hear are merely signals that assist the intensive care nurses in delivering care. Please do not try to adjust the equipment yourself.

If you have special questions or concerns about the care your loved one is receiving in the ICU, please contact Cindy Butler, director of critical care, at (573) 458-7289.

Reminder
The ICU is a locked unit. To gain access, press and release the button outside the doors. Someone will respond to your request as soon as possible. Please be patient. If the nurses are busy caring for your loved one, the response may be briefly delayed.

Visitor Information
Visiting hours are individualized per patient and physician/nurse discrection. The ICU patient unit is closed to hallway traffic during shift report periods from 6:45 am - 7:45 am and from 6:45 pm - 7:45 pm. We request that visitors refrain from making telephone calls into the ICU during this time as well.

Because of the complex care and rest needed for critical care patients, only three visitors are allowed at the bedside. To protect patients as well as children, no one under the age of 12 is allowed to visit ICU patients. Special considerations are given under certain circumstances.

To provide the best possible care to the patient, visitors are asked to leave the unit when patients are being admitted, during critical situations or when certain procedures are being performed. The unit may be closed to visitors at any time due to emergency situations.

Patient Liaison
In order for the ICU staff to maintain communication with those concerned and provide the best possible care, we do require that a patient liaison be designated by the family. This person will be responsible for keeping other loved ones updated on the patient’s condition. Please ask the designated patient liaison any questions you have regarding a patient’s condition. Please inform the primary nurse of your designation as patient liaison.

Telephones
Telephones are provided in the ICU waiting room for family use. Family members can place a local call by dialing ‘9,’ then the number or use their personal cell phone. The ICU waiting room can be reached directly by dialing (573) 458-8604. We ask that visitors do not use the phones in the ICU patient care unit. There are no phones in the patient rooms inside the ICU.

ICU Waiting Room
The ICU waiting room is provided for the comfort and convenience of family members of ICU patients. Blankets and fold-out beds are also available. Personal care items can be bought in the Gift Shop, which is located inside the Main Entrance of the hospital.

Cafeteria Hours
The cafeteria is located on the ground floor and has hours of operation from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. The grill is available until 1 a.m. The seating area of the cafeteria is open 24 hours a day.

Visitors are welcomed to bring outside food into the cafeteria at all times. Visitors may note on the dry erase board when leaving the waiting area so staff can locate you. The Café Continental, which is located in the North Addition Lobby, is open from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Personal Belongings
Due to limited space, we ask that a minimal amount of belongings be brought into the ICU and waiting room. Cards and notes are welcome gifts for ICU patients. To reduce the risk of infection, please do not send (or bring) flowers or food.

Taking Care of Yourself
Having a loved one in the ICU can be a difficult and stressful time. It is important for you to take care of yourself by eating meals and getting rest. Therefore, we encourage you to return home for the night if possible.

Chaplain and Social Services
The chapel is located on the first floor down the hall from the surgery waiting area. A chaplain is on call 24-hours a day to meet your emotional and spiritual needs. To contact the chaplain, call (573) 458-7935 or the ICU desk at (573) 458-7298.

CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM

Additionally, Care Managers will counsel patients and their families in regard to financial and emotional assistance. Please notify your ICU nurse if you wish to speak to someone about these services.

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