IMCU Visiting Hours & Guidelines
For Family and Friends Who Want to Be There
When your loved one is hospitalized, we understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be. We also know how much you want to be there for your loved one. We are family-centered at St. Charles and here to give you support, reassurance and information.
Visiting Hours
In general, you are welcome to visit any time. The time allowed is based on the patient’s condition.
Visiting Guidelines
We count on you to help us provide a healing environment for your loved one. So that he or she gets the best possible care and conditions for recovery, we offer the following guidelines for visiting:
Reassure and touch your loved one. Even with all the equipment and activity around the patient, a reassuring touch may be just what your loved one needs. If you are fearful of disturbing the patient or the equipment that may be attached or close by, ask a nurse for guidance.
Be there for your loved one. Let the patient know you’re there to help and support. Even just your presence can let your loved one know you care. We recommend that you try to keep visits short and the conversation light to allow for a restful, therapeutic environment.
Help us help your loved one. We welcome you to visit your loved one at any time. However, if there’s an emergency or we need to perform a special procedure when you’re there, your understanding and cooperation will be appreciated. You may be asked to leave the room so that we can treat your loved one, but we’ll let you know when you can come back to visit.
Help us create a healthy environment. Your loved one is in the IMCU because they are ill. Please help us create the most healthy environment possible by staying home if you have – or think you might have – a cold, fever, the flu, or if you were recently exposed to a contagious disease.
Feel free to ask about the equipment. There may be a lot of equipment on or around the patient. If you’re interested in what certain machines do for your loved one, please don’t hesitate to ask questions. If you think there may be a problem with the equipment, please be sure to let the nurse know.
Flowers are allowed. Foil balloons and cards are welcome, too.
Children are always welcome to visit. Children can often bring a special and good energy into the ICMU and they are always welcome to visit. However, if they are sick, please keep them at home and bring them to the IMCU when they are better.
Please use your cell phone in the family waiting room or the main lobby.
There is a visitor’s waiting room just outside the IMCU with a phone, various reading materials, free coffee and tea in the Cascades Café and in the lobby. There is also gourmet food at the Corner Deli on the first floor, between the entrance and the lobby, and the Cascades Café on the second floor. If you have questions, please ask your nurse or the volunteer at the front desk.