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In-Patient Care
Welcome to the Suburban Hospital Cardiothoracic Unit (CTU), a special critical care unit for patients recovering from cardiothoracic procedures. Our multi-disciplinary medical team is here to assist you and your loved ones during the hospital stay. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about our unit.
When can I talk with the medical team?
Feel free to ask questions at any time. With its many alarms, monitors, and devices, the CTU can be a busy area. However, the doctors, nurses, therapists, and other staff welcome the opportunity to answer your questions. Since it isn't easy to remember all your questions, we suggest writing them down.
How will the staff contact our family?
Please provide the staff with the name of one person who will serve as the family's main contact. The doctors and nurses will provide information to the contact person and call him/her if they need to reach someone. To protect patient privacy, information will be given only to the family contact.
When can I visit my loved one in the CTU?
Normal hospital visiting hours are between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Visitation for some patients may be limited, depending on their condition.
Also, during the first hour of each work shift, nurses and doctors update the incoming staff. To respect the privacy of all our patients, we ask that during these times — from 3 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. — visitors take a break in the waiting room outside the unit or visit the snack shop or cafeteria.
How many people can visit a patient?
We ask that only two visitors are in a patient room at once; other visitors can stay in the waiting room. If more than two people want to visit at once, please ask the nurse for permission. Visitors suffering from a cold or the flu are asked not to visit a patient.
Can children visit in the CTU?
Generally, children under age 12 are not permitted in the CTU. However, under some circumstances, it may be allowed. You must get permission from the nurse before bringing a child into the CTU. If your child is granted a one-time visit, please stay with your child and visit for 15 minutes or less.
What should I say to my loved one?
Speak normally. Keep in mind that your loved one may not be able to respond because of his/her condition. If the patient has a breathing tube, ask questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" nods. If he/she is sedated or under the effect of anesthesia, you can still talk to the patient. Touching can also help your loved one.
Sometimes, too much noise or too many visitors can affect the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, or breathing. In this case, a nurse may ask you to step out of the room until the patient relaxes.
Should I bring anything from home?
Familiar belongings help people feel better; however, check with the nurse before bringing any personal or electronic items to the CTU. Photographs, cards, slippers, and robes are usually acceptable. Please do not hang anything on the wall or bring items of value.
What can I do to help?
As we care for your loved one, you must care for yourself. Be sure to get plenty of rest and eat regularly. We encourage you to take breaks and communicate with your family.
What information can the nurse provide?
Our nurses provide round-the-clock care for your loved one and will talk with you about his/her comfort and treatment. Here are questions they can help answer.
- Who are the doctors caring for my loved one?
- Which one is in charge?
- What will happen today? Will any of these procedures cause pain? If so, has pain medicine been ordered?
- If a nurse is not in the room, how do I call for help?
- Can you explain what the doctor said?
- What are the tubes and equipment for?
- Is he/she recuperating as expected?
- How is food provided?
What should I ask the doctor?
- How will this affect the way my loved one lives?
- What is the treatment plan?
- When will we see him/her start to get better?
- What are the risks from the therapy or treatment?
- Is there pain? How is the pain relieved?
- Is my loved one receiving his/her pre-surgical medicines? Will he/she be on them when discharged?
Important Phone Numbers
Here are some phone numbers you will use during your loved one's hospital stay.
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301.896.3160 |
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301.896.2644 |
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301.896.2346 |
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301.896.3178 |
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301.896.2000 |
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301.896.3100 |