Visitors

Parking

Parking is available for visitors to the hospital at varying rates and lengths of time. For information on parking options and directions, go to the parking office at C-wing, ground floor, room CG 01 (open weekdays from 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. and weekends from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) or visit the parking page. 

Visiting The ICU

The ICU has an open visitation policy, which means that you can visit your loved one almost any time. To respect patient privacy, we ask that you do not visit between 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. for nursing handover and assessment.

Any friends and family can visit the patient unless the patient has asked for restrictions. If a patient is not awake, families can request restrictions. We, however, ask that you keep bedside visitors to 2 at a time. All other visitors should stay in the waiting rooms, locations can be found below. We ask that you keep the number of people in the waiting room as small as possible to accommodate the family and friends of other patients.

Waiting rooms:

• M wing 2^nd floor waiting room serves CrCU and CVICU. Take the main elevators in M wing to the 2^nd floor and turn left. You will find the waiting room right in front of you.
• D wing 4^th floor ICU (D4ICU) waiting room is located to the left of the entrance of the D4ICU.
• B wing 5^th floor ICU (B5ICU) waiting room is located right across from the entrance of the B5ICU.
• D wing 7^th floor ICU (Ross Tilley Burn Centre) waiting room is located just outside the main entrance of the Burn Centre on D7.

Visiting a Locked Unit

The outside doors to the ICU units are kept locked for patient safety, however, there is a buzzer beside the door that can be used to connect to the nursing station.

Children in the ICU

Children are welcome in the ICU to visit immediate relatives such as grandparents, parents, and siblings. Research shows that children over the age of 4 generally find visiting sick relatives helpful by increasing their understanding of what is happening to their loved ones and by reducing their feelings of anxiety and separation. However, children should not be forced to visit if they do not wish to do so.

Preparing Children For an ICU Visit

• Tell them what to expect – the environment of the ICU (the patients in the other beds, the smells, the noise and the machines) and how their relatives might look.
• Tell the child not to play with any of the equipment, tubing or wires and not to sit on the bed.
• Talk to the staff who can assess the potential impact of the visit and appropriately prepare the patient (e.g., they might wish to cover the patient with a sheet to prevent the child from seeing some of the lines).
• Tell your child about infection control practices (see “Keeping Your Loved One Safe” tab) in terms that they can understand (e.g., explain that they must wash their hands when entering and leaving the unit).

For more information on visiting hours, please visit the Visiting hours & information - Sunnybrook Hospital

Keeping You And Your Loved One Safe

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) practices play a very important part in keeping you and your loved ones safe. Visitors must wear a mask while in the hospital and should be vaccinated. If you are feeling unwell, including symptoms of COVID-19, please reschedule your visit for another time. Please wash your hands frequently using either soap and water or hand sanitizer.

A warning sign will be placed at the bedside of certain beds for patients who must be in isolation;

• The sign will indicate what type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to be worn by staff and family, such as masks, gloves and gowns;
• When in doubt, please ask staff for help.

For more information, please click here

What Can I Do When I Visit My Loved One?

• Let the patient know you are there. Even if your loved one is not alert, a familiar voice can be comforting.
• Keep your conversation on subjects that will not upset the patient.
• Ask the nurse if you need help communicating with your loved one.
• Allow the patient to express any concerns. Some topics might be upsetting, but avoiding them can create more stress.
• If you are not sure how to respond, ask for advice from a member of the ICU team.