Companion Policy
COMPANION POLICY
- Except for special situations, only one companion is allowed. If more than one companion is medically required, this situation will be evaluated by the patient's doctor and nurse.
- It is preferable for the companion to be over 18 years old. Those under 18 can be accepted as a companion with the doctor's approval.
- Individuals with a history of illness/contact (such as fever, rash, runny nose, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, etc.) are not allowed to accompany patients in the hospital. If these symptoms develop during the companion's stay with the patient, the nurse must be informed immediately.
Companions are responsible for adhering to the following hospital rules. If the rules are violated, the person's status as a companion will not be accepted.
- If there are any special conditions related to your patient (e.g., drug and food allergies), be sure to inform your doctor and nurse.
- Companions are informed about hand hygiene and isolation precautions appropriate to the patient's condition. Companions also play a role in preventing hospital infections. They must comply with hand hygiene and infection control rules.
- In case of emergencies, hospital evacuation areas and "Emergency Exits" are indicated on signs on each floor.
- The nurse will provide training to companions regarding the safety and care of the patient. Active participation in this training is highly important. During or after the training, companions can take notes and ask questions. Since these trainings must be repeated when the companion changes, any change in companion must be reported to the responsible clinical nurse.
- If the nurse determines that the patient is at risk of falling, a "green wristband" will be attached. The patient should not be made to stand up alone; if they need to go to the toilet, the nurse call button should be used, and support should be requested from the nurse. The nurse call button should also be used in other potential emergency situations related to the patient.
- Companions are not allowed to perform any procedure on the patient without the knowledge of the doctor and nurse, nor are they allowed to take the patient out of the service area without the nurse's permission to avoid disrupting the treatment and care process.
- Do not sit on patient beds. Do not interfere with medical devices and equipment connected to the patient. If the devices alarm, the nurse should be informed.
- The use of tobacco and alcohol is strictly prohibited by law and hospital regulations
- To ensure the safety of patients using oxygen, do not keep flammable or combustible materials (such as cigarettes, lighters, matches, flammable sprays, etc.) near oxygen tanks/masks and equipment
- Since the patient's nutrition is part of the treatment, no food or drink should be brought from outside the hospital, and no food or drink should be given to the patient without consulting the nurse. The mini-bars in the patient rooms are for short-term cooling only and should not contain food or drink belonging to the patient.
- Companions may need to leave patient rooms when necessary. Privacy for the patient is expected to be maintained.
- Requests to meet cultural and spiritual needs will be directed by the nurse.
- Hospitality services for companions are provided by our hospital. Companion chairs in patient rooms are used for rest.
- If the companion identifies any problem or has any concerns related to the patient, they can inform the nurse/doctor.
- To ensure a quiet and peaceful environment, it is expected that there will be no loud talking in the patient room and service corridors, and that phone conversations will not be conducted at high volume. Additionally, televisions in the rooms should be used in a manner that does not disturb others.
In Special SectionsThe general rules above apply, in addition;
- Adult/Newborn Intensive Care Unit: Patient companions are not allowed in the Adult/Newborn Intensive Care Unit. One companion may be allowed for pediatric intensive care patients with the approval of the responsible physician and intensive care nurse.
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service and Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Service For patients in isolation, the nurse ensures that the companion takes the necessary protective measures. You will receive additional training on this matter. In the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, two companions who are legal representatives of the patient may be accepted with the doctor's approval. Besides companion changes, entry and exit to the service are strictly prohibited.
- Pediatric Service: With the approval of the patient's physician, two companions are allowed. Child patients are not left alone in the room.
- Delivery Room: Due to infection rules, only individuals who have received training on delivery room entry and exit rules from the responsible midwife and have been deemed suitable for entry are allowed into the delivery room. Other patient relatives are not allowed inside.
- Operating Room, For cesarean surgeries, the doctor and the Operating Room Responsible Nurse may allow the birth photographer and the patient's spouse to enter. No companions are allowed in other surgeries.
- Emergency Room: Only one companion is allowed in the treatment area at the same time.
In the event of an epidemic/pandemic, rules may change according to the decisions of the Ministry of Health's Infection Control Committee and hospital management.