The Intensive Care ward (9 beds in total) is located at level -1 and is split into two operating units:

• The unit that ensures constant monitoring of patients with strictly heart problems
• The units specialising in the management of patients after cardiac surgery or with more complex heart problems

The Intensive Care team carries out its activity over three 8-hour shifts, ensuring continuous patient surveillance 24 hours a day.
The presence of a physician is always guaranteed and each nurse is responsible for one-to-three patients, depending on the assistance they need.

Patients are monitored with very sophisticated equipment, fitted with sound and visual alarms, indispensable for controlling the functioning of their vital organs, also from outside the room; the nursing staff, though not present in the room, will act accordingly.

How to recognise the personnel
Different professional figures are present in the ward, recognisable from the colour of their uniform and the ID badge they wear.

White coat: medical staff
Blue uniform: Intensive Care nurses and assistants
Green uniform: operating theatre personnel
White uniform: ward nurses, physiotherapists
Light blue uniform: cleaning staff

What is needed during a stay in Intensive Care
For the purposes of daily hygiene, and depending on the patients’ needs and habits, patients can bring the following items:

• toiletries (razor, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorizer, denture-holder)
• glasses (if used)
• slippers
• hearing aid (if used)
• dressing gown or shawl (if used)

The following personal belongings are allowed on the ward:

• watch
• small radio or audio player with headphones
• photo frame

It is advisable not to bring any valuable items, for which the staff will take no responsibility.
The use of mobile phones is not allowed in the ward since they might interfere with medical equipment.
No flowers or plants are permitted in the ward

Privacy
Information about the state of health of patients is given only to the persons specified by the patients themselves, or to close relatives.
The provision of such information will be limited on the phone to protect the patients’ privacy.

Transfer
When patients need less intensive monitoring, they are transferred to the general ward, where they may still be connected to a monitor.
In case of transfer, you can turn directly to the 1st floor staff..

Visiting rules
The following provisions are currently suspended for the Covid-19 emergency. Please read the general rules here and if necessary contact the Department head here.
Currently suspended (Visits are allowed every day from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., after informing the ward personnel. Before entering, please ring the main door bell and wait for a staff member to answer.
Unforeseen situations or examinations (radiography, medications etc.) may prolong waiting times; if this is the case, you can wait in the room next to the ward entrance door, where you will also find an automatic dispenser of beverages and a toilet.

No more than two visitors are allowed at a time; it is recommended to make short visits in order not to tire out patients who need a lot of rest.
Please ask the nursing staff if you intend to bring children.)