Visitation Policy - Small Animal Critical Care Unit

While your pet is hospitalized in the Critical Care Unit, be assured that it is receiving the best care possible. We recognize the importance of daily visits for both the patient and the family members. We will make every effort to work with your primary veterinarian to make your visit as smooth as possible. Due to the busy nature of the Emergency/CCU room and the fragile condition of our many patients, we need your cooperation with the following rules to help us with the smooth delivery of medical care to all our patients.

While your pet is hospitalized in the Critical Care Unit, be assured that it is receiving the best care possible. We recognize the importance of daily visits for both the patient and the family members. We will make every effort to work with your primary veterinarian to make your visit as smooth as possible.

Due to the busy nature of the Emergency/CCU room and the fragile condition of our many patients, we need your cooperation with the following rules to help us with the smooth delivery of medical care to all our patients:

• All visits need to be arranged with your pets primary veterinarian (be sure to ask the name of your doctor and the senior student assigned to your pets care)
• Clients will be accompanied by their veterinarian (or appointed student from their service)
• If the patient can tolerate being moved, it will be taken to an exam room for a quiet, private visit
• Visits need to be limited to 10 minutes (less if your pet requires supplemental oxygen) if the patient cannot be moved from the Critical Care Unit
• We cannot allow visits before 10AM or after 9PM (8:30AM — 9PM weekends & holidays)
• Clients are not allowed in the building when the lobby is closed (10:30PM -7AM) unless they are actively being attended as an emergency. If the patient is hospitalized, the client will be allowed a short visit before leaving.
• For biosecurity (infectious disease) reasons, it is recommended that children under 10 not enter the Critical Care Unit
• All communication/status reports are to be given by primary veterinarian. Clients should be informed that they will not receive such information from CCU personnel
• If conditions in the Critical Care Unit change suddenly (an emergency arrives or a critical case requires immediate attention) visitors may be asked to leave in order to make room for the emergency
• Any exceptions to the rules above must be cleared through the senior CCU Clinician
• The VTH retains the right to alter this policy, without written notice, to ensure the safety of personnel, clients, and patients.

Thank You!

- The CCU Staff