What To Expect in the ICU

The ICU doctors and care teams at BIDMC include specialists from throughout our health system.

As an academic medical center, we train current and future doctors and other health care trainees. This means you get the latest, most advanced care. As a teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School, our doctors stay ahead of — and often lead — new innovations in ICU treatment.

This allows us to give you and your family the best possible patient- and family-centered care.

Our ICU care teams include:

• Case managers. These registered nurses specialize in helping you and your family plan for your recovery and if needed, palliative care after you leave the hospital. Case managers answer your questions about insurance and health care costs.
• Intensivists. Every ICU at BIDMC is led by an attending physician called an intensivist. These doctors are specially trained in ICU medicine as well as anesthesia, emergency medicine, internal medicine, neurology and surgery.
• Interns, residents and fellows. These doctors are at different stages of specialized medical training at BIDMC.
• ICU nurses. Nurses care for up to two patients at a time. They provide your hour-to-hour care.
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These specially trained providers work closely with intensivists to manage your clinical care.
• Patient care technicians. These techs assist nurses with everyday care like bathing and hygiene. They provide other help to families and patients as needed.
• Pastoral care staff. Our hospital-based clergy visit patients to offer spiritual support. You can request clergy from any denomination.
• Pharmacists. These pharmacy experts in medicine partner with your doctors and nurses to provide the best medication management and answer your questions.
• Respiratory therapists. These specialists manage any breathing conditions you have while in the ICU. They also support you if you’re on a ventilator.
• Social workers. Licensed experts in health and mental health who help patients and families cope with issues related to a serious illness or injury. Social workers also help families find resources. 
• Surgical attendings. These surgery specialists are part of all BIDMC surgical ICU teams. They oversee your needs before and after a procedure.
• Unit coordinator. The coordinator manages administrative duties in the ICU.

The members of our ICU staff change often because each member is on a rotating schedule. Intensivists usually work in an ICU for two weeks at a time. Residents and interns rotate through specialties to complete their training.

We encourage visitors to the ICU. We offer 24/7 visiting flexibility to meet the needs of you and your family.

Visiting Hours

Our ICUs do not follow specific visiting hours. Instead, we encourage you to visit at the times you think are best for you and your loved one. 

At times, the care team may feel it is safer for you to not have visitors. If this occurs, we may ask visitors to step out of the room for a few moments.

For security all hospital doors are locked after 8:00 pm except those at the main entrance to each BIDMC campus. If you visit after 8:00 pm, please check in with the security team at the main entrance. 

When you’re in the ICU, having the information you need can ease the stress of being in the hospital.

We work with you and your family to answer your questions and provide the level of detail you want. We share information with you in a method you prefer.

There are numerous ways we can communicate with each other.

Designate a Spokesperson

Communication works best when there is one designated person to get updates and share news with others. This could be your healthcare proxy if you have one. Your spokesperson also can manage any advance directives you put in place. This person is responsible for sharing news about your condition with your family and friends.

Speak to Your Nurse

Your ICU nurse is the first and best place to start when you need answers. Your nurse cares for you hourly and knows your care plan.

Speak to Your Doctors

A team of doctors is in the ICU around the clock to ensure you get the care you need when you need it. You and your family should feel comfortable talking with any of your doctors.

Speak to Your Social Worker

You can talk to your social worker about many issues. These include coping with the challenges of being in the ICU, finding resources for care at home and concerns related to alcohol or substance abuse. Your nurse can contact a social worker for you.

Schedule a Family Meeting

Your entire family can meet with your care team to review your care plan and your condition. This is a designated time to discuss what’s happened, where your care is going and what to expect.

Join the Care Team During Their Rounds

Each morning, your ICU care team reviews and discusses all aspects of your care. We welcome your family to join our team to decide on the day’s plan for your care. Ask your nurse what time these visits, called rounds, occur in your ICU.

Use a Family Pager

We use restaurant-style pagers in all BIDMC ICUs. A pager lets you stay connected to your loved one when you leave the patient room to take a break or grab a bite to eat. The care team will page you if you’re needed back in the ICU. 

Use the Whiteboard

Each ICU room has a whiteboard where the care team writes their name, your care plan for the day and your family’s contact information. There is also space for your family to write comments and questions.

Give Us Your Feedback

If you have concerns about your care or your loved one’s care, you can request an ethics consult. The consult reviews care decisions to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.

At BIDMC, a Patient Family Advisory Council helps ensure we are meeting all needs of patients and families. Please consider sharing your feedback with us to help us improve patient relations.