What you can do
Inside an intensive care unit, the relatives' role could be very precious: there are many ways to help both patients and hospital staff.
These are the major aspects to consider in a critical situation as an ICU-hospitalization:
• To be present is important, but to rest is important too, because there'll be moments when the patient will need more assistance.
• Patients in ICU are more susceptible to infections, it's important to wash hands before and after coming to visit
• Communication with medical staff is a crucial moment, it's important that always the same person is informed, as a family leader, then he can spread news to all other relatives
• Remember young people in the family, they can need your support more than others
Finally, consider the possibility of losing your relative and the necessity to elaborate the loss.
