Pediatric Intensive Care
The PICU is a specialized hospital unit designed to provide high-level care for critically ill children frominfancy through adolescence. This unit is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by amultidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including pediatric intensivists, specialized nurses,respiratory therapists, nutritionists, and pharmacists, all trained to deliver comprehensive care tocritically ill or injured children.The PICU caters to patients with a wide range of conditions that require intensive monitoring andtreatment, such as severe respiratory distress, significant infections, complex surgeries, trauma, andorgan failure, among others. The unit is designed to manage the unique physiological needs of children,who may respond differently to illness, injury, and treatment compared to adults.
Key features and services of the PICU include :
Advanced Monitoring Equipment : Continuous monitoring of vital signs, including heart rate, bloodpressure, oxygen levels, and other critical parameters, to quickly detect and respond to changes in achild’s condition.
Respiratory Support : Provision of advanced respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation forchildren who are unable to breathe on their own due to illness or injury.
Specialized Treatments : Access to specialized treatments and procedures, such as dialysis for kidneyfailure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for heart and lung failure, and advanced life support.
Multidisciplinary Care : A team-based approach to care that includes specialists from various disciplines working together to create and implement a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the needs of each child.
Family-Centered Care : Recognition of the important role families play in the recovery of their children, with support services and accommodations to help families stay involved and informed about their child’s care.
The goal of the PICU is to provide the highest level of care to critically ill or injured pediatric patients, stabilizing their condition and supporting their recovery, while also addressing the emotional and psychological needs of the patients and their families during a challenging time.