Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a multidisciplinary unit that provides care for infants, children and adolescents who are injured or become critically ill. Conditions that might bring your child to the PICU include severe infections, poisoning, drug overdose, trauma, extensive and complex surgery, congenital anomalies, immunological disorders and oncological emergencies. The PICU is the only unit in the state that provides extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is a life-saving technique that mimics the natural function of the heart and lungs, allowing an infant or child to rest while natural healing of the affected organs takes place. It is used for newborns and children suffering respiratory and/or cardiac failure as a result of birth defects, trauma or severe infection.The many physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals who work in the PICU possess the skills and knowledge to provide timely and appropriate assessment and treatment and thereby achieve the best possible outcome from an injury or critical illness. Utilizing advanced technology, our healthcare team improve survival, speed recovery and minimize pain and suffering from illness and injury in a humane and respectful manner. The technology used in the PICU is at the forefront of Intensive Care.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the care of their child, as desired, while in the PICU and a parent is allowed to sleep at the child’s bedside. The new PICU has a family lounge that includes kitchen facilities, showers, lockers and nearby laundry facilities.

Admissions to the PICU are coordinated and overseen by a Pediatric Intensivist who is available in the PICU 24 hours a day.