Pediatric Intensive Care

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is a 28-bed intensive and acute care unit for neonates, infants, children and adolescents who become critically ill or injured. We realize that having a child in the PICU is a scary and emotional time. Our goal is to provide your child with safe, appropriate, comprehensive, individualized, interdisciplinary and patient- and family-centered care in a compassionate and nurturing environment.

Outstanding Care 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Our PICU is staffed by board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric intensive care physicians who provide in-house medical and surgical care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They communicate regularly with pediatric subspecialists and primary care physicians regarding coordination of care, discharge and follow-up. Additionally, specially trained critical care nurses provide care for patients of all illness levels.

The PICU at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital offers:

• Daily multidisciplinary rounds, to which parents are invited to participate in order to learn about their child's treatment plan
• Evening nurse report with parents at bedside
• Patient and family advocate for support during hospitalization experience
• Child life specialist team for developmentally appropriate medical play and distraction interventions
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a lifesaving procedure for patients with severe respiratory or cardiopulmonary problems
• A dedicated pediatric transport team that is PICU-based and allows the team members to maintain their critical care skills in the field
• Dedicated pediatric intensive care team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, social workers, patient care associates, care coordinators and child life specialists
• Unrestricted visiting hours for families
• Conine Clubhouse, a place for families to stay while their children are being cared for at the hospital