Critical Care Unit (CCU)
The Critical Care Unit (CCU) and Progressive Care Unit (PCU) at Antelope Valley Medical Center provide dedicated, continuous monitoring and support to critically ill or injured patients. Highly specialized CCU nurses care for only 1 or 2 patients at any given time, and PCU expert nursing staff cares for between 3 and 4 patients at a time.
Visiting the CCU
Access
For both safety and privacy reasons, the CCU is a locked unit. This means that visitors must press a buzzer and are then permitted through locked doors. It is essential to our recovering patients' health that people with viruses, colds, the flu, or other communicable diseases do not enter the unit.
Visitors are allowed to see their loved ones 24 hours a day, except during shift changes (6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. through 8:00 p.m.) Up to 3 visitors may be at the bedside at a time, and visitors must be 12+ years old. Children under 12 years of age may be permitted to see the patient under special circumstances with charge nurse approval.
Occasionally, a medical procedure may be in progress that delays visitation. Your loved one's nurse will be happy to answer any questions about the procedure and its specific restrictions.
While we recognize that family presence comprises an integral part of critical patients' care and recovery, we encourage you to go home to rest occasionally and gain energy for subsequent visits.
Personal Items
While cards, letters, and photographs are encouraged, the following items are not permitted in the CCU:
- Flowers or potted plants
- Balloons
- Food
- Valuable items such as jewelry or cash
Food
No food may be brought into the CCU or PCU areas. Visitors are invited to dine in. Café J, located on the first floor of the main hospital.
The Family Spokesperson
Strictly enforced patient confidentiality laws do not allow nurses to report medical details over the phone to friends or family. Families are strongly encouraged to designate a family spokesperson who can update friends and other family members regarding the CCU/PCU patient’s status. Designated spokespersons can communicate via phone (and password) with the CCU/PCU units at any time except for the morning and evening shift changes (6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) To obtain information, call (661) 949-5000 and ask for the Critical Care or Progressive Care unit.
Advanced Directives
Advanced directives provide physicians and other clinical caregivers with instructions on what to do if a patient stops breathing. We encourage patients and their families to discuss the option of an advanced directive with a physician. You can download the Advance Directive form in English or Spanish.
