COVID-19: What does it mean for people in ICU and for families?

hello Ma'am, thank you kindly for your response. I have been trying to communicate with the nurses, physicians, advocates, administrators, etc, but I have been unsuccessful. The majority demonstrate a lack of care, integrity, and compassion. I have witnessed my husband being abused making him and myself afraid for me to leave his side. my husband is on a ventilator but was writing well to communicate. he requested a transfer as well as myself. I was told because its a level one trauma and they can provide his care there, even though we r terrified for his life and seriously concerned with care they are providing, they will not request a transfer unless I provide them with a name of an accepting physician. I was then told that I would have to give them a credit card before they would accept him (his provider informed me that was incorrect) he is a navy veteran and ny transit authority retiree, he doesn't deserve the abuse and torture that he is being subjected to. I haven't slept in weeks and cannot rest until he is somewhere safe and ethical. my husband told me to call the police. I did but they said they couldn't help us either. he is being held against his will and paying them to do so

Friday I was asked to leave the hospital and he is now alone. I fear for the worse. he favore the mayo clinic and was scheduled to undergo stem cell therapy in the spring. if he was at the mayo clinic I would feel comfortable with him being alone. ive been calling for a week trying to contact an accepting physician at the mayo clinic to help him recover and relieved of this nightmare

I met a veteran yesterday that said he had a very similar experience at the same hospital that my husband is at. he said no matter what, don't leave him alone. he gave me the number to a veterans hospital near him and I went there last night but they don't accept traumas. my husband was stable, alert, and oriented. everytime they do a procedure that is always unsuccessful, he goes down. im trying to save him before its too late

@mutwo Im sorry to hear of you and your husband predicament . As a former nurse I remember we had to close the nursing home to visitors as the flue was rampant in our area . Sometime this has to happen to protect the patients. I realize it is hard on the spouse but is necessary to protect the patient. Im sorry you are so upset but talk to the Administrator of the hospital and they can explain it to you better maybe.

im afraid for his life, I witnessed things and experienced things that I should have never in a healthcare facility. if he was somewhere safe I wouldn't mind not being with him…the administrators are unethical where he is

Welcome @mutwo. This is an extremely difficult situation for you and your husband. I'm so sorry to hear about the anguish you are feeling and the lack of confidence you have in the care he is receiving. Given the limitations on travel and other concerns around COVID-19 communications will be challenging at this time. It will require so much patience and persistence from you to help advocate for your husband. You mentioned that you haven't slept. That will make things even more challenging.

I'm glad that you found us here on Mayo Clinic Connect for some virtual support. To inquire if a transfer to a Mayo Clinic ICU, please call the Mayo location of your choice (Arizona, Florida or Minnesota) listed on this webpage http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Are you able to stay in the ICU with you at this time? Are you able to get any rest there?

Hello, @mutwo I am so sorry that you and your husband are in this very difficult situation. As a nurse who worked in many stressful situations, I would suggest that you have a small notebook so you can record everything that happens. This way you won’t have to rely on your memory when you’re upset. Record nurses names and dates they were assigned to your husband. If you witness anything, record it also. Record doctors names, ask for their business cards. Record names and times of medications, etc.
I know that being in a hospital, especially an ICU, is overwhelming and foreign. Sometimes, what looks strange and upsetting to a family, is not. It’s just different. Tasks are done faster because they have to be done faster. Right now, with this virus situation, nurses, especially, are under a lot of pressure.
Since your husband may have to stay at this hospital, do your best to get to know the staff and let them know you also. But, mostly, focus on your husband. He needs to know that you are there and that you care. If I can help with anything, let me know

thank you kindly Ma'am for welcoming me here. I have been calling the location in Minnesota being that was the one he was considering having stem cell therapy at this spring. I was unable to reach anyone thus far. I was asked to leave the icu Friday due to safety concerns and now he's alone and I have limited insight about his care. I am not even notified of procedures. I don't know what to do besides to keep looking for a rescue for my husband. thank you again Ma'am for listening and encouraging me during this nightmare. I just feel that I have let him down. I pray that all is well for you and your family and that it remains that way

thank you so very much ….I have names, medications, labs, test, but I was told that I was interfering with his care by doing these things. when the nurse comes in to give medicine and is scanning them in the system, I ask what medication it is and dosage and write it down, I ask about his lab results when it seems like there is a slow moment to update me, I ask physicians questions but was told by one of them that physicians get frustrated when asked questions because it appears that they are being challenged. I don't know how to help someone without asking questions to have a general idea of what is going on with them. we have been treated so badly in that place and now he is all alone. it feels like our life is over. I don't know what to do with myself. ive never felt so worthless, not being able to be with him knowing he's afraid. the nursing director of the unit was so heartless and cold the entire time. im going to just keep trying, I wont give up…thank you again for your advice

Never give up. You have very right to ask – don't let egos stand in your way of ensuring that you have the answers to your bone fide questions!!!