CalvertHealth's Intensive Care Unit, or ICU is designed to provide ongoing intensive medical treatment and medical care to those who are seriously ill or injured or who suffer from complex health conditions. We have specially trained nurses and hospitalists who are here 24 hours a day.

All patients receive continuous heart monitoring which shows the electrical activity of the heart on a screen at the bedside and at the nurses' station. You will notice that the monitor also shows numbers that represent measures like heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Intravenous (IV) lines are used to provide a regular flow of medications or nutrients to our patients. Many patients also have some sort of oxygen equipment on or near them. The machines in the ICU have certain signals that may beep to let nurses know there has been a change in a measure being monitored. Although the sounds may seem frightening to you, they are important for patient safety.

Most patients only remain in the ICU for a few days. As their condition improves, they can be transferred to a regular unit.

We ask that you please limit visiting to immediate family only. This is important for patient privacy and to provide the patient with as much rest as possible. Two family members can visit in the room at a time. The current schedule of visiting hours is posted in the ICU family lounge.

Please designate one family member to be the spokesperson. This ensures that you have reliable communication and maintains patient privacy. Please explain this to friends and neighbors. As the designated spokesperson, we will ask you to give us a password. Each time you call, we will ask you for the password to confirm that we only release private patient information to the designated representative. Feel free to call at anytime, but please remember that numerous phone calls do take the nurses away from their most important job - taking care of your loved one.

• Telephones are not allowed in patient rooms in the ICU as noise is disturbing to patients who need rest. Cell phones cannot be used in the ICU.
• Food items should not be brought into the patient rooms without first asking the nurse.
• One small arrangement of flowers is allowed in a patient's room.

If you have any questions, about anything, please ask. You play a vital role in your loved one's care and it is important for you to know and understand what is happening.