The pages accessible in English concern access to services and security in regard with health and social services in accordance with the French language charter. The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content. 

Intensive Care

The intensive care unit ensures continuous monitoring of the body's vital functions through the constant presence of medical specialists and nurses as well as the use of sophisticated equipment. This care is intended for users who are experiencing respiratory distress, coma, severe trauma, shock, etc. This service also welcomes users who have undergone major surgery. 

The Patient 

Throughout the stay in the intensive care unit, the patient's cardiac, respiratory, neurological, renal and digestive functions are continuously monitored. Responders identify the patient in two ways before each intervention: it is a safety standard applied throughout the facility. Thus, before each treatment or service, the staff must unequivocally ensure that the right care will be given to the right person. 

The clinical course of each person can vary greatly from one day to the next, sometimes even within the same day. This unstable development is difficult for families to bear and understand. The evolution of one user in particular is not comparable to that of others. So don't be alarmed by the longer and more difficult evolution of a member of your family, compared to other users, based on the exchanges between visitors in the waiting room. 

During your visits, you can talk to the user and touch them, taking care not to disconnect the monitoring equipment. Your words and contacts are often a comfort to the person even if, intubated and on sedatives, he or she cannot answer you. 

Visits and enquiries 

Visits by families and loved ones are permitted according to terms and conditions (authorized period, number of visitors, etc.) that vary from one hospital to another. Please go to the reception desk to let the staff know you are there. However, we ask for your understanding at specific times of the day when staff are less available to you, such as during shift changes when nurses must gather all the information to ensure continuity of care in a confidential manner. 

IMPORTANT: The organization of physical spaces does not always allow visitors to wait in the intensive care unit without breaking confidentiality and respect for other users. 

Staff may ask you to retreat to the waiting room during examinations, treatments and comfort facilities: a closed curtain indicates that treatment is currently underway. You will be able to return to the person being cared for when the curtain is open. 

Only family members or a significant other are allowed to receive information about the user's condition. We will be happy to provide you with telephone information about your loved one's condition in a timely manner. We ask to appoint one person who will be responsible for taking the information and following up with the rest of the family. 

  
Useful information for families Personal belongings 

The establishment can provide toiletries for customers who arrive in an emergency. Afterwards, we ask you to bring the following personal belongings, clearly identified with the user's name: 

  • soap, deodorant, shampoo; 
  • toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash; 
  • hairbrush, comb; 
  • body cream, perfume; 
  • necessary for shaving; 
  • slippers; 
  • glasses, hearing aids, prosthetics. 

As storage space is very limited, please take home any clothing and valuables that may be lost during transfers.