Trauma ICU and Trauma Highcare

It is a very stressful experience for you and your family to have a relative in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

To help you feel more comfortable in the Unit, we have put together this information leaflet which may answer a few of your immediate queries.

Due to the major nature of a trauma injury, many of our patients are critically ill. There are certain procedures that Medical and Nursing Staff have to carry out to ensure best possible care of all our patients. The greatest risk to any patient with trauma is infection. For this reason, please understand that precautions and restrictions are essential to minimize this risk, both to your relative, and to other patients. Infection can be life threatening if not controlled.

There is a Trauma Surgeon in overall charge of every patient. Please feel free to make contact and discuss any medical issues which trouble you. The staff in the Unit will assist you with any queries and problems you may have. Please do not hesitate to ask.

The Unit handles a large number of personal calls concerning the patients. Our policy is that we do not give out information to anyone, except immediate family. We suggest that a contact person is nominated in the family, who can liaise with the hospital and keep friends and family informed about the patient’s condition.

The following numbers are direct lines to the Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

We will also need your contact details so we can reach you if necessary.

Please be flexible regarding timing of visits, which will be dictated by the needs of the patient.

If possible, please avoid visiting at the following times due to nursing shift changeover.

  • Between 06:30 and 07:30
  • Between 18:30 and 19:30

You will be given TWO admission cards. A card MUST be shown to the nurse attending the patient before you will be allowed to visit (no card, no visit).

  • The patient’s medical needs take priority, and you may be asked to wait or return later if the patient is asleep, undergoing surgical procedures, dressings, or medical examination.
  • Visits are often exhausting for the patient and a short visit is preferable.
  • No more than one visitor will be permitted to visit at any time and total two visitors per day.
  • Visits should initially be tightly restricted to immediate closest family only.
  • Children under 12 years may visit only by arrangement with the Unit Manager – such visits can be very distressing, for both patient and child.
  • Please respect the fact that there are other patients in the Unit who may be very ill

The more visitors, the greater the risk of infection.

If in doubt, please discuss any anxieties with the nursing Unit Manager or Shift Leader.

  • If you are not sure where the patient is, enquire at reception
  • Carefully wash your hands at the basin at the entrance, using the liquid soap provided.
  • A bottle of hand-rub is provided at the entrance and at each bedside.
  • Before entering the Unit:
    • Remove ALL rings, jewellery and bracelets
    • A ‘bare below elbow’ policy is mandatory. Roll up your sleeves if necessary.
    • Squirt hand rub onto your hands and rub in thoroughly
      • Front and back of hands and arms
    • You can now visit your relative
    • Please avoid touching surfaces or handling objects unnecessarily.
  • Before leaving the Unit:
    • Squirt hand rub onto your hands and rub in thoroughly after leaving the bedside
    • Wash your hands at the basin at the entrance before leaving.

Infection is a critical danger. The more visitors there are, the greater the chances of infection. Please restrict visiting in the interest of the patient.

Visitors with known infections should NOT visit. They may place a patient’s life at risk.

No eating or drinking of foodstuffs will be permitted.

Many people ask what to bring for their relatives. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Soap and face cloth.
  • Razor (for men).
  • Lip Ice.
  • Brush and comb.
  • Body Lotion (not essential).
  • Fruit and other foodstuff by arrangement with the Unit Manager
  • I-Pods or MP3 players if appropriate, but ask first.

The Unit and Netcare cannot accept liability for valuable personal effects, which are brought at the risk of the patients / relatives.

Please do not bring or send flowers.

No cell phones are permitted as they may interfere with sensitive monitoring equipment.

  • Personal effects may have potential risks and must be discussed with the Unit Manager.
  • Please advise friends and relatives that fruit baskets and flowers are not accepted in the unit.
  • Due to size, electronic interference, and infection control considerations, TV sets are not permitted.

We have a counselling team that is available for all patients and their families 24 hours a day. Please do not hesitate to utilise their services.

Contact: