Learning About the Family's Role in the ICU

What is the ICU?

An intensive care unit (ICU) is a part of the hospital where very sick people get care. It could be a special unit for people with heart, breathing, or other serious medical problems, or a place to recover after surgery.

It may be scary to see relatives or loved ones in the ICU. There are lots of things happening that might be hard to understand at first.

But remember: You are an important part of the care team along with doctors, nurses, and specialists. The ICU staff can help you understand the care that your loved one is receiving. They can help you learn about the technology, medical words, rules, and procedures in the ICU. You know best what matters to your family. You will make the decisions about what is best for your family.

How can you help in the ICU?

• Spending time with someone in the ICU can improve their stay in the hospital.
• You may not be able to have a full conversation, but you can talk to your loved one while they are in the ICU. You can also hold their hand and be near them.
• The staff will help you learn what you can do to care for your loved one.
• You may be able to bring special items like flowers, photos, or cards to the ICU.
• If you are there when nurses change shifts and doctors visit, you can get to know the whole care team. You can make sure that you have a voice in ongoing care. You can advocate for your loved one.
• You may have a very important role as the designated supporter for a person who is unable to make medical decisions. Some of the decisions you may need to make include what types of treatments or surgeries to pursue and how to plan for the end of life. The ICU staff will help provide support and as much information as they can to help you make these decisions.
• You can also help share information with extended family and friends. It will help the hospital staff if just a few people close to the patient serve as contacts. There are websites that can help you keep friends and family up-to-date on your loved one's condition.

What can you expect in the ICU?

• The staff are experts at keeping your loved one as comfortable as possible. Medicine that keeps the person relaxed and pain-free will help.
• The equipment that is used in the ICU may look scary. It may make noises and flash. But it is helping the medical staff take care of your loved one. It may supply oxygen, fluids, or medicine, or it may monitor vital signs.
• A ventilator may be needed to help your loved one breathe. Ventilators can be uncomfortable and make it hard to communicate.
• The ICU staff is highly trained to care for very sick people. They will do everything they can to help. If you need it, ask for support from friends and family. You can also ask the hospital staff about counseling and support.

What kinds of questions can you ask?

You can ask the ICU staff any questions that you have. For example, you might ask the nurse:

• Which doctors and specialists are helping us?
• When can we visit? Is there anything we should know about visiting our loved one?
• Do you know how to get in touch with me in an emergency?
• How can we help?

And you might ask a doctor:

• What kind of treatment are you providing?
• How will we know if it's working?
• What can I do to help?