Orientation to the Neuroscience Units
Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit (F8/4)
• Unit Phone Number: (608) 265-1978
• The patient’s nurse, or the dry erase board in the room, will have the patient's
phone number.
Supports may call either of these numbers at any time and ask to speak with the patient or nurse. It is very helpful if you have one or two people who are the main contacts. The contact person(s) can let the rest of the family know about your progress and plan. This ensures your privacy and confidentiality. There will be fewer calls that may take the nurse away from the patient’s bedside.
Attention: Before entering the ICU, use the phone at the front desk to call nurse. The number is found on the sign by the phone. Visitors must call the nurse each time before entering the ICU.
Neurosciences General Care (D6/4)
• Unit Phone Number: (608) 263-8380
• The patient’s nurse, or the dry erase board in the room, will have the patient's
phone number
Guidelines for Primary Supports and Visitors
The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics will have you, along with your family, help plan your care. We will ask you to tell us which people closest to you can provide you with support during your stay. Most patients and families need help and support. Needs may vary from person to person.
Two types of people may be with you during your stay. Primary Support Persons are the couple of people you are closest to. Visitors are guests of you and your family. This handout will review the roles of each type of visitor.
Who are Primary Support Persons?
• People who provide you with the support you need
o Physical
o Psychological
o Emotional
• Your support persons may include
o Relatives
o Best friends
o A partner
Who are Visitors?
• They are guests of you or your family.
• They may only visit at certain times during the day.
How Do I Choose Who my Primary Support Persons Are?
• Your Primary Nurse will review the Primary Support and Visitor Guidelines
with you.
• At any time during your hospital stay, you may tell us who your primary
support people are. Most often, this will be a small number of people.
• You are free to change your primary support persons at any time.
• We will make sure you have quiet time for rest and privacy. We will help you
balance your need for support and your need for rest.
When are visiting hours?
| Primary Supports | Visitors |
• Most often can come at any time based on the wishes of patients |
• 9 am to 9 pm, except in special situations |
| • Must be > 18 years old. | • No age limit. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by adult. |
• Due to space limits, in most cases only one support person is allowed to spend the night in a patient's room. |
• Anyone who visits after 9 pm must wear a badge and be approved by the staff on the unit caring for the patient. |
Other Guidelines
• Items of value should not be brought to the hospital. Only bring items that
are needed, like glasses or hearing aids. The hospital is not responsible for
lost or misplaced items.
• If the people who come to see you need a place to spend the night, they can
call the Housing Coordinator at 263-0315 for help in finding a local hotel.
How to obtain overnight visitor’s pass?
• Our goal is to provide a safe environment. One way is to give after hour badges to those people who are allowed to stay after 9 pm. Primary support persons and visitors must have an ID badge in order to stay after hours.
• Primary Support
o To get an ID badge, primary support persons must receive a card from the
unit staff. The card is then taken to the Security Office found near the Main
Entrance of the hospital. This must be done before 9 pm.
o The badge will be valid for one week. It may be used until the date printed
on the badge.
• Visitors
o Visitors who have been given permission to visit after hours must also go to
the Security Office found near the Main Entrance of the hospital to obtain a
badge. This must be done before 9 pm.
o These badges are valid only for one night.
Who Should Not Visit?
There are times when people should not visit you in the hospital.
• If the visitor or primary support has been exposed to an infection or illness
o Active tuberculosis
o Chickenpox
o Shingles
o Measles
o Mumps
o Acute respiratory illness
o Colds
o Pertussis (whooping cough)
o Flu
o Fever
o Diarrhea
o Certain skin infections
People who have been exposed to these illnesses should check with their doctor to see if they can get or spread the illness. If so, they should not come to visit for three weeks from the time they were exposed. They should check with their doctor or your nurse to find out if it is safe to visit.
Please tell your nurse if you have any restrictions on whom you want to visit.
• If you decide that you do not want people to visit at a certain time
• If you no longer wish to visit with a certain person
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 09/10/2012
Copyright © 09/10/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7410
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