Intensive Care
Intensive Care provides seriously or critically ill patients with intensive monitoring. Life or organ support provisions may also be necessary.
Someone you care about may be in the ICU. We know you are concerned. You may not know what to expect. Emotions you may be experiencing are worry, anxiety, and fear. At Capital Medical Center we want to provide moral support in addition to delivering high quality healthcare. Please contact any of our highly competent nursing staff or physicians with questions you may have.
The ICU is a special place, so Capital Medical Center has established visiting hours for the benefit of patients and to facilitate the administration of quality care. Our primary objective is to maintain an environment that promotes your quick recovery. These policies and procedures are in place to help you and your family work with our doctors, nurses, and staff to get the most from your hospital stay. Please take a few minutes to review these guidelines with your loved ones.
Inpatient Units
- Intensive Care, Medical, Surgical & Oncology Units
- Step Down Unit
Step Down Unit
The Step Down Unit (SDU) is an extension of ICU where patients no longer require the intensive level of care provided in the ICU, yet may not be ready for a Medical -Surgical room. Telemetry equipment allows patients continued monitoring by staff.
Intensive Care Unit
Seriously ill patients will go from the Emergency Department directly to CMC’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for intensive/critical care. ICU patients require constant monitoring and care for unstable, life-threatening conditions. Highly trained nurses/staff with specialized equipment monitor and care for patients 24-hours a day.
We realize that fear of the unknown is one of the biggest causes of stress. Please feel free to ask questions about anything you do not understand. If you cannot visit the hospital, the best time to call is between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm Call 360-754-5858, ext. 2575.
Visitation for the ICU & SDU – Visiting hours are flexible, depending upon the patient’s needs and or physician’s orders. Patients in the ICU may require frequent or long periods of uninterrupted rest to help with their recovery. Only immediate family members and caregivers are allowed into ICU and no more than two visitors at a time. Children under 12 are not permitted without the nurse’s knowledge and approval.
The first 24 hours after admission are critical for the patient’s rest and medical evaluation. Therefore, we suggest visiting during the even hours from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm for short periods. Please understand if the nurses suggest minimizing visitors or the length of visitation.
When you visit, please go to the ICU waiting room. Dial extension 2575 and tell the nurse who you want to visit. As soon as it is appropriate, the nurse will allow you to visit the patient. Please understand, if permission is temporarily denied, it is because we have the patient’s best interests in mind.
Family Contact Person
We ask each family to designate one contact person who can keep the others apprised of the patient’s condition. This enables the nurse to spend more time with the patient.
Calling the Patient
The nurse in charge decides if a patient can accept personal calls, according to the patient’s medical condition and/or physician’s orders. All calls are routed through the ICU nursing station at 360-754-5858 ext. 2575.
Personal Items and Gifts
On your first visit, please take the patient’s valuables, clothes and any personal equipment home with you. Of course, personal toiletries, dentures, slippers and glasses should remain. Due to the limited space in our rooms, we ask that you bring small floral arrangements and/or gifts into ICU. Plant are not allowed in the ICU.
Physician Visits
Most physicians check on patient’s each morning. If you would like to speak personally to the attending physician, notify the patient’s nurse and they will let the physician know of your request.
Food and Gifts Available While You Wait
Food Service is offered in our buffet-style cafeteria, serving Continental Breakfast at 6:30 am to 10:00 am, Lunch-11:15 am to 1:15 pm and Dinner-4:45 pm to 6:30 pm. The coffee pot is always “on” 24 hours a day. There are vending machine in both our cafeteria and emergency area for your convenience. The Island Espresso Stand is located just outside the Emergency room door and is open Mon-Fri, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Hospital Guild Volunteers man our gift shop, located next to the main lobby waiting area, Mon-Fri, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. You will also find pay telephones, free local call courtesy phones and an ATM machine in our main lobby waiting area.