Patient Populations: An average of 700 critically ill pediatric patients ranging in age from newborn to 18 years with a wide range of medical and/or surgical conditions are admitted to the PICU annually. Medical subspecialties include cardiology, GI, nephrology, hematology/oncology, neurology, and pulmonology. Surgical subspecialties include cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, organ transplant (heart, liver and kidney), and trauma.

Unit Information: PICU staff members receive 16 weeks of a competency based orientation with an assigned preceptor. Nursing staff generally work 12-hour shifts with a variety of weekend opportunities including weekend option, every other weekend, and every third weekend. PICU charge nurses respond to all pediatric codes throughout the hospital. All PICU staff nurses are certified in PALS, many are also certified in ACLS, TNN, and may participate on the E.C.M.O. team.

The PICU nursing staff is comprised of registered nurses caring for one to two patients per shift, working with a team of nursing assistants, clerks, respiratory therapists, physicians and surgeons. Pediatric Intensivists lead the interdisciplinary team and collaborate with medical/surgical subspecialty services. Services and treatments offered include E.C.M.O. (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), conventional and high frequency ventilation, in-unit surgical procedures, nitric oxide, C.V.V.H. (continuous veno-venous hemofiltration), heliox, and dialysis. PICU nursing staff have influenced patient outcomes through implementation of parent participation in rounds, facilitating the transfer process between units, reducing environmental noise, and improving pain management.

Location: 7th floor, John Pappajohn Pavilion