.png)
Table of Contents
Nepean ICU is a highly specialised unit that looks after patients with potentially life-threatening conditions. It is staffed with highly trained nurses and medical specialists and holds 24 beds which is divided into two pods: ICU 1 (Beds 1-12) and ICU 2 (Beds 13-24).
Due to the complex nature of the ICU environment and to uphold our patients’ safety, the unit is closed off by automatic swinging doors. It is operated by the administrative staff and requires you to use the outside intercom to inform us who you are and why you are visiting. Please be respectful to our staff and understand that you may be asked to wait in the waiting room while we care for your loved one. Please do not walk into the unit without buzzing first.
When a patient comes into the ICU there are often assessments and tests that need to be attended to immediately in order to determine what is wrong and provide treatment. The priority is to take care of them and provide life support. The medical staff may not have the answers you need as soon as you would like. We appreciate that you may feel frustrated as you are asked to wait. Please know that we will do our best to keep you updated when we can.
Visiting Times
The care of your loved one during their stay in the ICU can take up most of the day. Therefore, our visiting hours are limited from 10am to 8pm. We encourage you to spend time with your loved one and we would love to talk with your family about what works best for spending time in the unit.
Due to space restrictions within the bedspace as well as most of our patients being critically unwell, we are only able to accommodate 3 visitors at one time. Rest and sleep are important for recovery. Frequent shorter visits may be more beneficial than lengthy ones.
Children are welcome to visit. To help them feel safe and prepared, we suggest children under 12 are accompanied by a supervising adult at all times, and this adult should not be the patient. Older children should also have an adult available to support them. Please tell a nurse before bringing a child to the bedside, especially if your loved one is very unwell. Our Social Work team can help prepare children for what they may see and hear, and support them during and after the visit.
Upon entering the unit, if you see that the curtain is closed at your loved one’s bedspace please do not enter, but enquire first with a nurse if it is ok to come in.
Please always wash your hands upon entering and leaving the ICU.
If you or other members of your family are unwell, please avoid visiting the hospital. If this is the case, please contact our staff to let us know that you are unable to visit and we can organise other arrangements to keep you informed of your loved one’s progress.
Hospital Map
More Information
3
Patient Safety
Patient safety is an essential component of high-quality care provided in the ICU. Our team have worked hard to establish a number of tools and strategies that ensures the ICU provides safe care, in the context of evidence-based practice and the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) requirements.
12
Beyond Critical Care
Leaving critical care and going to the ward is an important step in your recovery process as your ICU stay only plays a small part in your journey in hospital. The following information will help you and your family learn more about the ward environment and provide information about your recovery process.
.png)