Visiting the Critical Care Trauma Centre (CCTC)

During a critical illness, patients are often very ill and may be unconscious. Visiting is restricted to those individuals who have a close relationship with the patient. If the patient is unable to communicate his or her wishes about visitors, the patient's family or next-of-kin will determine who should visit.

If you are uncertain whether you should visit the patient while in the critical care unit, please speak to a member of the patient's family.

When you arrive to visit, please check with the unit clerk or volunteer (if on duty) before each visit. There is a unit clerk available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The unit clerk can be found at the reception desk at the entrance to the CCTC. If the unit clerk is not at the front desk when you arrive to visit, please use the telephone that is located beside the reception desk to call into the unit.

To protect the privacy of your family member and of other patients in the unit, please check with the unit clerk, volunteer or nurse before EACH visit.

The first time you visit, a nurse will give you an information booklet and a card with the telephone number to the CCTC. The nurse will write the telephone extension to the patient's bedside. You may call this number directly when you wish to visit.

Immediate family members may call and speak directly to the nurse at the bedside to obtain an update regarding the patient's condition. A nurse is available 24 hours per day.

When someone calls the hospital, staff have no way to verify who is calling and what their relationship is to you. Normally, in order to protect patient privacy, only a minimum amount of information is given out over the phone.

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is important, please ensure you wash your hand before and after each visit. Waterless handcleaner is available throughout the unit. Rub this product vigorously into the hands. It is better at killing germs than handwashing with soap and water.

For more information:

• Find the CCTC
• Visiting Hours
• Preventing the Spread of Infection
• What will it be like to visit?
• Waiting rooms
• Obtaining information
• Should children visit?