Visitors are an important component in the full recovery of our patients. The support, reassurance and comfort that visitors provide mean a great deal to our patients.

Because the intensive care unit (ICU) and cardiac care unit (CCU) patients are very ill, they need rest and extra precautionary measures.

Who May Visit?
Tips for Visiting a Critically Ill Patient
Visiting Hours for the Units

Who May Visit?

Family members or close friends are allowed to visit an ICU/CCU patient. Visitors must be at least 12 years old. We ask that you limit the number of visitors to two at a time.

Remember:

• Visitors may be asked to leave when there is an emergency with a patient, when the physician is performing a procedure, or when the nurse is providing care to the patient.
• Visitors are not allowed to spend the night in the ICU/CCU patient's room.
• Visitors may be asked to leave when it is best that the patient needs to be undisturbed.

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Tips for Visiting a Critically Ill Patient

• Please use the phone in the hallway out side the unit to gain access to the ICU/CCU unit.
• Ask to speak with the Unit Supervisor, Charge Nurse or Nursing Director if you have a problem with a member of your healthcare team. Other assistance is available through the hospital's chaplain.
• Do not send flowers or plants to the ICU or CCU. Space around the bedside is very limited.
• Do designate one member of the family as the primary point of contact for the nurse. This will allow the nurse to spend more time taking care of the patient and less time repeating information to different family members.
• Do make it a point to know who is taking care of your loved one. You will encounter many people wearing various uniforms in the hospital. If a staff member doesn't have an ID badge visible, ask for their name and position. However, all nursing staff members at South Fulton Medical Center are required to wear white uniforms.
• Do ask the nurse what you should expect the first time you visit your loved one. This information will help prepare you for the activity level, monitors and equipment associated with the critical care unit.
• Do keep a notebook handy. During this stressful time, you should write down questions you need to ask and information you need to share with family members
• Do talk with your loved one's nurse if you feel your visits are too restricted so that you can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement.
• Do keep the patient's safety and wellness in mind when visiting. Learn standard safety precautions such as leaving the bed rails in the raised position and the call light within reach when you leave the bedside. Also, we ask that you not visit if you are ill.
• Do take care of yourself during the patient's recovery process. Fuel your body through proper diet, rest and time away from the hospital.

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Visiting Hours

CCU/ICU hours are:
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Telemetry Unit hours are:
8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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