The Marin General Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff welcomes you and offers help and support to you and your family. We encourage you to turn to us when you have questions or concerns. We are here to lessen the impact of this health crisis on the patient and family. High quality of care is our priority for your family member.
How will the ICU help my loved one?
Our team of healthcare professionals provide constant care and close monitoring of your loved one. Each ICU team member has specialized knowledge and skills. Patients and their families are valued members of this team.
- Doctors plan patient care.
- Nurses provide ongoing assessment, monitoring, and most of the hands-on care.
- Respiratory therapists assist in developing a plan of care to alleviate breathing difficulties. This may include delivery of extra oxygen through a nasal cannula (prongs), face mask, or ventilator; and administration of vapor medications.
- Physical therapists help your family member improve strength and flexibility.
- Dietitians give advice about nutrition and special eating concerns.
- Social workers and case managers help with financial matters, resources, and insurance.
- A chaplain is available at all times. Clergy, such as a priest, minister, or rabbi, are available for spiritual and emotional assistance for you and the patient.
- Support staff assist with drawing blood, moving patients, and serving meals.
- Monitor technicians observe the central bank of monitors located at the front desk and report changes in heart rate or blood pressure to the nurse. They also answer the phones and process doctors' orders.
What can I do to help?
- Appoint a family spokesperson as a link between the ICU team and family members. You may want to leave a message on your answering machine to update family and friends. This helps protect the patient's privacy and saves time for nurses.
- Please bring a copy of your family member's medical history, a list of medications, and any advance medical directive, such as a durable power of attorney, for medical care.
- You can help to make your family member more comfortable. Talk with the nurse to find out what you can do. A tape of favorite music, cards, or photographs may be comforting. Just being with your family member is important, and he or she may need rest most of all.
- Remind your loved one what day it is and why they are here.It is not uncommon for ICU patients to seem con fused, forgetful, excited, or angry. This may be due to the illness itself, unfamiliar surroundings, or medication.
- Take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods. Remember to take a break when you are tired, or find a peaceful place to sit and breathe deeply for a few minutes. You may want to arrange with family members to visit in shifts, as this gives everyone enough rest.
How do I enter the ICU?
We request following this procedure with each visit:
- Please use the phone in the waiting room before entering the unit by picking up the receiver.
- To open the ICU's electronic doors, push the large square button on the wall outside the unit.
Any other tips I should know?
- A comfortable waiting room is provided for families who come to visit. The waiting room can become crowded, so please share this space.
- The Greenbrae Grill, located on the first floor of the hospital, is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Do not wear perfume or cologne. Ill people are often sensitive to smells.
- Do not bring flowers, since they carry pollens and bacteria that can aggravate illness.
- Turn off cellular phones and other electronic devices while in the hospital. They can interfere with electronic equipment in use for patient monitoring.
- Take home any valuables or medications brought to the hospital.
- Check with a nurse before giving your family member food or drink, including water.
- Your family member may look or act different. This may be caused by medical condition, medications, or the body's normal response to stress.
- Be prepared to see lots of wires, tubes, and equipment. Monitors have alarms to alert the nurse when something needs to be checked. Alarms are not always a cause for concern.
- For more information and updates, call (415) 925-7000. Ask the operator to connect you to the ICU.
When are visiting hours?
It is our goal to provide the best possible care for your loved one. Whenever possible, the ICU maintains an open-door visitation policy that is flexible to patient, family, and staff needs.
Visitation is limited to immediate family members and significant others. We ask that no more than two (2) visitors be in the patient¹s room at one time. Rest and sleep periods are essential for recovery. Depending upon your family member's condition, the length of visits will be limited so that he or she receives the care and rest needed. Clergy will be allowed to visit at all times.
Children under 12 are allowed to visit only with the approval of nursing staff. Please talk to your nurse about special circumstances regarding children.
You can help assure that patients needs are met as we change shifts by not visiting or calling during the following hours: 7 to 8 a.m., 3 to 4 p.m., 7 to 8 p.m. and 11 to midnight. These shift changes are necessary for nurses to exchange information with the oncoming staff. This is a busy time for the unit. If you feel an exception is necessary, explain the circumstances to the nurse taking care of your family member.
Overnight stays in patient rooms are not permitted because of space limitations and safety issues. Spending the night in the waiting room is limited to parents of critically ill children.
Where may I stay?
- 1815 Redwood Highway
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Telephone: (415) 924-1502 - 2500 Larkspur Landing Circle
Larkspur, CA 94939
Telephone: (415) 925-1800 - 100 McInnis Parkway
San Rafael, CA 94903
Telephone: (415) 499-9222 - 1010 Northgate Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Telephone: (415) 479-8800
Best Western Corte Madera Inn
Courtyard by Marriott
Embassy Suites Hotel
Wyndham Garden Hotel
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For more information, go to: Making A Gift or send your donation to:
| Marin General Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 8010 San Rafael, CA 94912-8010 |