Visitor’s Entrance/Parking  Visiting Hours  Waiting Area  Family Communication / Contact Person  Visitor Information & Amenities  

Visitor Information for Critical Care (ICU & CCU)

The Surgical Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units at Washington Regional Medical Center care for patients who require more frequent medical and nursing assessments and intervention based on their physical condition. The unit is designed with specialized equipment to meet the needs of our more critically ill patients. The ICU/CCU staff consists of specially trained physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists, and is supported by pastoral care, radiology, laboratory, dietary, pharmacy, housekeeping and a host of other hospital support teams. We understand that having a loved one in the hospital with a serious injury or illness can be a difficult experience. Our goal is to help make this time as stress-free for you as possible.

Visitor’s Entrance/Parking
Visitors should park in one of the convenient hospital parking lots and enter through the hospital main entrance.

ICU/CCU Visiting Hours

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted or visitor policy. Please view our current policy here.

Your cooperation with our established visiting hours is appreciated along with the trust you place in us to give the best care possible to your loved one.

Please limit visitors to three at a time.

Only designated support persons from 9:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m.

The ICU/CCU Waiting Area

A special waiting area is provided for the comfort and convenience of families with loved ones in a critical care unit. When visiting hours are over we ask that you please wait in the lounge, located adjacent to the ICU/CCU area.  Please do not leave children unattended in the waiting area. Volunteer hosts and receptionists are on hand during the day to help provide assistance for families. For the comfort, safety and well-being of everyone using the ICU/CCU waiting area, the following policies will be strictly enforced:

• No visitors will be allowed to sleep on the floor due to safety concerns.
• Personal bedding items (pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, etc.) are not allowed. 
• Ice chests, coolers and other food/beverage storage containers are not allowed.
• Furniture may not be moved into or out of the waiting room area.
• No radios, televisions or personal stereo devices without headphones will be allowed.
• Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No child should be left unattended in the waiting area.

It is important to respect the fact that the waiting area is a public space that is often shared by many families. Please help us keep the waiting area clean and inviting – put empty bottles, food wrappers, napkins, etc. into the trash. Put away newspapers and magazines when you have finished reading them.

Family Communication / Contact Person

One (1) family member should be designated as "contact person" for the entire family. This individual will be contacted for questions or changes in the patient’s condition, and should be able to share this information with the rest of the family/friends. The contact person may stay with the patient except during the night and during the change of shifts (see Visiting Hours section).

The contact person should be the only person calling the ICU/CCU for updates in the patient’s condition.  For security purposes, a password will be assigned to the designated contact person. The password will be required before patient information is released.

It is best not to call during the change of shift, 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.  The main phone number for Washington Regional is 479.463.1000.

Suggestions for Contact Person
Try to visit at times when the physician is available to talk with you and answer questions and concerns. Nurses will answer general questions concerning a patient’s condition; however, detailed medical information must be obtained from the patient’s physician. Ask the physician each day when he/she will be available to talk to you the next day. 

Caring for a patient involves taking care of your own health; please remember you need your rest and good nutrition also so you can be helpful to your loved one when they go home. An occasional change of scenery is needed to clear the head and see things more objectively. Take care of yourself - both physically and mentally. It does wonders for the spirit.

Visitor Information & Amenities

Suggestions to All Visitors

• Keep conversations with the patient related to subjects that will not upset the patient. Be positive and supportive. 
• Be aware that there may be restrictions concerning the patient’s diet. Please ask a staff member before giving the patient anything to eat or drink.
• Patients and visitors in the ICU/CCU are at an increased risk of falling due to the environment (i.e. wires, equipment and I.V.s).
• Every effort is made to protect each patient’s dignity, modesty and confidentiality. If unsure of the patient’s location, please ask for assistance before looking in different rooms.

Tyson Commons Dining - temporarily closed to visitors
Cafeteria-style dining is available in the Tyson Commons, located on the Garden Level of the hospital, below the atrium/main lobby area. Take the elevator to “G” or walk down the staircase by the front entrance of the hospital. Hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. until 8:45 p.m. daily. Seating is available indoors or in the adjacent outdoor courtyard.

Coffee & Snack Kiosk - temporarily closed to visitors
Coffee and a variety of snacks are available at the kiosk, located on Level 2, near the elevators. Seating is available in the adjacent area.

Vending Machines
Vending machines offering a variety of beverages and snacks are available throughout the hospital on all levels.

Phones/Cell Phones
Pay telephones are located near the public elevators in the lobby areas on Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the hospital.  Because of possible interference with sensitive electronic equipment in patient rooms, use of cell phones is not allowed in the patient care areas. Cell phones may be used in the Lobby area.

Pastoral Care/Chapel
A medical center chaplain is always available to help you with any spiritual or emotional needs while your loved one is in our care. The chaplain will be happy to notify your faith group or minister if you wish. To reach a chaplain, ask your nurse, volunteer or receptionist for assistance.

The Chapel is located on Level One, off the public hallway by the Emergency Department and is available to patients, families and friends.

Flowers, Plants, Gifts & Personal Items
We realize visitors like to bring or send flowers and gifts. Cards and balloons are welcome; however, due to the possibility of germ and insect contamination, flowers, plants and fruit baskets are not allowed in the Critical Care Units. 

Patients may have the following items in their room while in the ICU/CCU: eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, battery-operated radios, battery-operated razors, books and magazines.

Nightclothes and under garments are not needed. Hospital gowns, pajama bottoms and slippers are available for all Critical Care patients.

Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Please take time to read through the Patient Rights and Responsibilities document that is provided to all of our patients when they are admitted to the hospital. This document is important because it details the rights of your loved one as a patient and outlines the responsibilities of the hospital with regard to his/her patient care.

Privacy
Protecting the privacy of our patients is of major importance. Please refrain from asking staff members about other patients and/or looking into patient rooms as you walk by.

Complaints or Issue of Concern
Complaints or concerns about a member of your loved one’s healthcare team should be reported to one of the following: the charge nurse, nurse manager or nurse supervisor.

Washington Regional Medical Center
3215 N. Northhills Blvd.
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Telephone: 479.463.1000
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