For Parents

Introduction to the PICU

Meet your Child’s Care Team

The Pediatric ICU (PICU) care team is a multidisciplinary group that develops a personalized plan for your child’s critical medical care. The team includes nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, child life specialists, palliative care specialists, advanced care practitioners, and physicians.

The bedside nurse provides one-on-one or one-on-two care in the PICU, spending the most time with your child. They implement the medical plan each day, advocate for your child’s care, and closely monitor progress.

The respiratory therapist administers nebulizer treatments and ensures proper lung hygiene. They also manage any breathing machines your child may need while in the PICU, ensuring their lungs receive the necessary care.

The pharmacist helps determine the most appropriate medications for your child’s treatment. Given the complexity of medication regimens in the PICU, the pharmacist plays a critical role in monitoring and adjusting these treatments.

The dietitian develops feeding regimens to support your child’s healing while critically ill. Nutrients and calories are essential for recovery, and the dietitian ensures your child receives the appropriate nutritional support.

The physical and occupational therapists (PT/OT) help your child regain strength and dexterity. Critical illness can lead to a loss of strength and skills, which directly affects recovery after discharge. PT/OT are essential in ensuring your child has the best possible outcome post-hospitalization.

Child life specialists assist children in processing their illness and hospital stay. They also support families, helping siblings understand the situation in an age-appropriate way. Their role is crucial in helping the entire family navigate a child’s hospitalization.

Palliative care specialists—including physicians, social workers, and chaplains—support families of children with long-term illnesses or those who are critically ill. They assist with future planning, resource navigation, and advocacy for both the child and their family.

Advanced care practitioners (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) help physicians monitor patients and implement care plans discussed during medical rounds. They also assist with procedures, hospital transport, and stabilizing critically ill patients.

There are four types of physicians involved in every PICU patient’s care:

• Specialists are consulted for organ- or system-specific conditions. Commonly involved specialists include pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric surgeons, ENT surgeons, pulmonologists, pediatric cardiologists, and pediatric oncologists.
• Residents are doctors in training, specializing in pediatrics or emergency medicine. They help formulate treatment plans based on each child’s condition.
• Fellows are physicians who have completed pediatric training and are undergoing three additional years of specialized training to become pediatric ICU doctors.
• Attending critical care doctors are fully trained physicians who lead the team in developing and executing your child’s medical plan. They make final decisions in cases where multidisciplinary teams may have differing opinions.

Family Centered Rounds

Each day, the multidisciplinary team caring for your child conducts medical rounds to develop that day’s care plan. These rounds take place in the morning outside your child’s room. Parents are encouraged to join the rounds to actively participate in the formulation and management of their child’s plan. This provides an opportunity to learn about the issues that brought your child to the PICU and to understand the reasoning behind the decisions made.

Visitor Policy

Please ask your bedside nurse for the most up-to-date visitor policy.