Pediatric Intensive Care Services    When you child needs medical care, a short drives goes a long way. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Children's Hospital at St. Mary's is a 13-bed, multidisciplinary unit that provides care for infants, children and adolescents who become critically ill or injured.

Our physicians, nurses and allied medical care professionals who work in the unit possess the knowledge, skill and judgment, through training, experience and focus, to provide timely assessment and treatment and thereby achieve the best outcome possible from critical illness and injury. Equipped with advanced technology, these dedicated care providers improve survival, speed recovery, minimize disability and relieve pain and suffering from critical illness and injury in a humane and respectful manner.

Our PICU staff is experienced in treating the most life-threatening illnesses in children. But they not only focus on the disease--they focus on the child. This child-centered approach is what many of our families have come to appreciate about care at the Children's Hospital at St. Mary's. Our staff meets the unique needs of your child and your family, and helps provide the support that's needed for healing to begin.

Support Services    The following services are available to ensure that parents and family members are fully informed and to help with emotional, financial and family concerns.

• Chaplain Service -- Spiritual care can be a source of comfort. Our full-time pastoral care staff is available at all times. A Children's Hospital staff member can help you contact this service or you may call 561.881.2899. After office hours, you may leave a message at this number. Messages are retrieved periodically throughout the day and night. Inside the hospital, you can reach the Chaplain on duty by dialing ext. 29814.

• Child Life Institute -- The Child Life Institute staff works with each family to ensure that their needs are being met while they are cared for at the Children's Hospital at St. Mary's. Child life specialists are available to help you prepare your child for medical treatments and procedures. They use teaching tools, special dolls and medical equipment to explain procedures to you and your child. Our Child Life team can also help determine your child's level of understanding, including any misconceptions, and can help your child develop coping strategies like imagery, distraction and relaxation to reduce anxiety.

• Social Workers -- All families are contacted by a social worker who will answer questions, help solve family-related problems, such as temporary housing and financial concerns, and provide emotional support.

• Quantum House -- Located on the campus of St. Mary's Medical Center, Quantum House provides a caring place to call home for families while their children are being treated for a serious medical condition at St. Mary’s Medical Center or the Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s. Quantum House relieves the stress and financial hardship that are often added to the trauma of illness.