University College Hospital. The Critical Care Unit T03: UCH

Transcription

1 University College Hospital The Critical Care Unit T03: UCH

2 2 If you would like this document in another language or format, or require the services of an interpreter, contact us on We will do our best to meet your needs. Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. The Critical Care team is committed to 3 3. What is Critical Care? 4 4. How do I get to Critical Care? 7 5. Visiting 9 6. Facilities for disabled people Teaching and Research Nurses and doctors Critical Care Management After my admission Where can I get more information? Contact details 14

3 3 1 Introduction This leaflet outline details of the UCH Critical Care unit and its activities. This is a booklet for patients and their relatives. 2 The Critical Care team is committed to: Providing excellent treatment and care, delivered with competence and professionalism. Respecting the dignity of the individual and their personal, cultural and religious beliefs, and acting equally to all. Working in partnership with patients and their families. Creating an open and honest environment, where information is shared without compromising confidentiality. Co-operating with other departments and services (within and outside of UCLH) to optimise patient care. Providing a safe environment for all staff and patients.

4 4 3 What is Critical Care? Critical care units are also known as intensive care units, intensive therapy units and high dependency units. Whatever the name, the principles of care and treatment are very similar. Patients who suffer severe injuries, have had long and/or complicated surgery or have a serious infection or other medicalproblems may need treatment in a critical care unit. The critical care team provides specialised treatment and close observation. The critical care team includes: nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, clinical technicians, dieticians, pharmacists, ward administrators, ambulance drivers, domestic staff, housekeepers, administrators and managers. The number of nurses, doctors and physiotherapists per patient is higher than on other wards. The most senior doctor is the consultant. Doctors from other specialities also contribute to the treatment of patients. There is always a senior nurse on the ward who organises care, allocates beds to new admissions and deals with any problems and issues. If the nurse at the bed side is unable to help you, please ask for the nurse-in-charge. Taking part in care: You are welcome to help care for your family member or friend if you are keen to do so. Please ask your

5 5 bedside nurse for help and advice as the technical nature of critical care can be confusing. You must not handle any equipment without asking first as this could be harmful to your or the patient s wellbeing. Many of our patients are not fully conscious. This could be due to their illness and/or to the drugs given to help with pain, stress and anxiety. If the patient is not able to respond to you, then this does not mean he/she is unable to hear or feel. We assume our patients can hear and we talk to them. Discussing recent news, offering encouragement and updates on life at home are important. Tell us about favourite radio programmes, styles of music or their favourite football team so we can offer some relief from the daily tedium of hospital life. If you bring in your own DVD player or audio equipment it will need to be checked by the hospital electrician before plugging it into the mains. Serious illness makes people tire more easily. Sensory overload can cause distress. Please ask your bedside nurse to find the right balance between stimulation and rest. After critical care: Coping with disability, fear and loss of confidence can be very difficult and rehabilitation after critical illness is complex. A special booklet will describe in more detail what help is available. Please ask for a copy should you not be offered one.

6 6 4 How do I get to Critical Care The unit is based on the third floor of the main UCH hospital building. Please use public transport or a taxi (rather than a car) when visiting. ICU cannot issue parking permits and there is very little parking available near to the hospital. The parking spaces and private car parks nearby are very expensive. The hospital is also in the Congestion ( C ) Charge zone. You can pay the C Charge in local shops or online at Nearest Underground stations: Warren Street: Northern and Victoria Lines Euston Square: Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines Euston: Northern and Victoria Lines. For travel advice, contact Transport for London on or visit

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8 8 5 Visiting You are welcome to visit at times that are convenient to you. Please don t visit during the afternoon rest period from 1pm to 3pm or at night from 11pm to 8am. Exceptions can be made depending on individual circumstances, Contact the nurse in charge before bringing children under the age of 16 into the critical care unit. It can be frightening and children might need to talk about this before visiting. There should not be more than two visitors at the bedside. To ward off the spread of infections please observe the following: Do not visit if you are unwell yourself (flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea etc.) Wash your hands before and after entering the bed space Put on an apron before entering the bed space and discard when leaving the bed space Do not bring flowers to the critical care unit. 6 Facilities for disabled visitors All areas open to the public are wheelchair accessible. The visitors toilet, which is located in the corridor leading to the waiting room, is also accessible for wheelchair users. Interpreters

9 9 for British Sign Language can be booked in advance during office hours. 7 Teaching and Research UCL Hospitals is a teaching Trust, and you may be asked if medical or nursing students can observe or assist with your care. We are also a major centre for medical research. If you are interested in taking part in research projects, ask the person who is caring for you. If you do not wish to take part in teaching of students and/or research, please tell us when you arrive. Not taking part in teaching or research will not harm your care. 8 Nurses and doctors You will have a named nurse, who will be responsible for coordinating your care. You may also see a specialist nurse for additional support. You will be under the care of a named Critical Care consultant, who will be in charge of your treatment. You will be seen by the

10 10 doctor from a speciality specific to your condition as well as other doctors within your consultant s team. 9 Critical Care Management The critical care unit is lead by the clinical director, the general manager and the senior nurse. Each shift, day or night, is lead by a nurse in charge of critical care. If you are unhappy about anything please get in contact with the nurse in charge of the shift first. 10 After my admission Following your stay in critical care it may take some time to start feeling well again and this is different for everyone. Please see the After Critical Care booklet for more information. Please use the contact details at the end of this booklet if you wish to speak to someone in the department. For general health information and advice, contact the 24 hour, nurse-led service, NHS Direct on or visit

11 11 11 Where can I get more information? Patient Health Information British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy British Psychological Society Samaritans Cruse Bereavement Care Carers UK Telephone Helplines Association

12 12 ICU Steps A registered charity run by ex-intensive care patients, relatives and ICU staff to support patients and families through the long road to recovery from critical illness. Healthtalkonline A website covering a variety of personal experiences of health and illness. It includes sections for critical care patients and their relatives. ``

13 13 12 Contact details Critical Care Unit T3 (Tower 3 rd floor) UCH 235 Euston Road London NW1 2BU Switchboard UCLH: or (after prompt enter number from list below) Bay 1 (beds 11-16): ext Bay 2 (beds 17-21): ext Bay 3 (beds 22-26): ext Bay 4 (beds 27-31): ext Bay 5 (beds 33-36): ext T3 reception: /0301 Website:

14 14 Space for notes and questions

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16 16 First published: Nov 2013 Date last reviewed: Oct 2013 Date next review due: Oct 2015 Leaflet code: UCLH/MB/CC/CCU/1 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust