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FAMILY SUPPORT DURING THE HOSPITAL STAY

THE HOSPITAL STAY

Sepsis is a serious process and therefore causes great stress for the patient and their loved ones. Staying calm and facing the process with confidence in the medical team will help your family members and yourself.

It is important to know what to expect when visiting a relative:

  • Various pipes and cables connected to equipment. They help to observe the patient's condition, administer medications and fluids; and extract or drain fluids. All these processes are part of the UCI routines.
  • Swollen face or body. We call it edema and it is due to the abnormal accumulation of supplementary fluids that are administered to increase blood pressure. In itself, the edema does not constitute a factor of aggravation of the patient's condition.
  • monitors and machines. Some of these teams simply monitor the patient's condition. Others, such as respirators and dialysis units, partially or totally replace the organs that are affected.
  • Confusion. Sepsis decreases blood flow to the brain, which can alter a patient's way of thinking and hinder their ability to communicate. Nor does it represent a sign of worsening in itself, but it can be an important early sign of sepsis.
As the patient recovers, the number of wires, tubes, and machines used in daily care will gradually decrease. Some medications may no longer be needed.

 

HYGIENIC RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN VISITING THE ICU

  • Use protective elements that are indicated to you in each ICU, such as leggings to cover your shoes and protective gowns.
  • Wash your hands before and after each visit. This simple measure helps us prevent many hospital infections.
  • Use the mask when told to do so.
  • When you leave, discard the material or dispose of it as directed. Never take these items home as they could be contaminated.
  • Do not enter the intensive care area with food or drink.
  • If you have an acute infectious-contagious disease such as a cold or flu, refrain as much as possible from visiting the patient until your defenses have improved.

If your family member has been in the intensive care unit, they will be transferred to another unit of the hospital when their health allows.

Outside of the intensive care unit, care will focus on regaining strength. (The time the patient spends in bed debilitates him significantly).

 

Follow the instructions of the health personnel at all times.

 

This information is informative in nature and therefore does not replace what you may receive from health professionals.