Babies, children and adolescents who have serious illnesses or medical conditions that require continuous monitoring and specialized care are treated in The Valley Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Valley’s PICU team is dedicated to treating your child with the most advanced critical medical care, as well as supporting parents and family members.
The PICU Team
Valley’s PICU is headed by board-certified pediatric intensivists who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These doctors are joined by a specialized team of registered nurses who have many years of experience in treating children with serious illnesses. All of our pediatric intensivists and PICU nurses are trained in advanced pediatric life support and pediatric CPR.
Patients and their families are also cared for by a multidisciplinary team that includes respiratory therapists, dietitians, social workers and other healthcare professionals.
The PICU team works closely with the Pediatric Emergency Department’s board-certified emergency physicians and pediatric subspecialists to provide comprehensive care for children who require intensive care or follow-up specialty care for the gamut of pediatric illnesses, including:
- Orthopedic problems
- Respiratory disorders
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Neurologic problems
- Gastric illnesses
- Heart disease
The PICU also collaborates with each child’s personal pediatrician to ensure that patients receive continuity of care while at Valley and when they are discharged to their homes.
Advanced Care
The PICU comprises private rooms that are equipped with advanced technology, including central monitoring and the latest-generation ventilators. Even though your child will be in a private room, our nurses monitor all our patients at all times from a central monitoring system at the nurse's desk. All of our equipment is child-appropriate and scaled to size for treating newborns to young adults.
While Your Child is in the PICU
Depending on your child’s age, stage of development and current medical condition, the PICU team will make every effort to help your child understand what is happening to them in a child-friendly, non-threatening manner.
We’re also here to support family members in any way we can, answering questions and educating you so you’re adequately prepared to make decisions regarding your child’s medical care. Visit our Critical Care Visitor Information page for important visitor guidelines and PICU-specific information.
When Your Child is Ready to Leave the PICU
Many children can be discharged directly from the PICU to their homes. However, some children may need to be transitioned to our general inpatient pediatric unit for a short stay or spend time in a specialized rehabilitation hospital outside Valley after discharge. Your child’s physicians and nurses will prepare you and your child for discharge and inform you of any necessary follow-up tests, appointments or monitoring.
If your child requires at-home services after discharge, Valley Home Care provides comprehensive services, including skilled nursing care, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, IV treatment, tube feedings, respiratory care, postoperative care, and home health aide assistance.