Pediatric Critical Care / Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

What is Pediatric Critical Care?

Pediatric Critical Care is the medical subspecialty focused on the care of critically ill or injured infants, children, and teenagers. Care is provided in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for conditions such as severe infection, poisoning, drug overdose, trauma, extensive surgery, congenital anomalies or immunological disorders.

Compassionate, Next Level Critical Care

Children’s Hospital at Erlanger provides the region’s highest level of care for infants, children and adolescents who become critically ill or injured. Equipped with the latest technology, our multidisciplinary team has the knowledge, skill and judgment to quickly assess and treat your child to help ensure the best possible outcomes. This care is delivered in a compassionate, family-centered way with access to case managers, child life specialists, and other support staff to help during your hospital visit. Our critical care services stand apart with:

• The region’s only intensive care unit committed specifically to the care of the most severely ill children and young adults
• The region’s only pediatric emergency department, with board certified pediatric emergency physicians
• The region’s only pediatric trauma center, serving critically ill and injured children 24/7
• The region’s leading air ambulances – LIFE FORCE – and neonatal/pediatric ground transport teams, making Children’s Hospital at Erlanger accessible throughout our vast service area

Other Specialized Critical Care Services 

• Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for the management of acute renal failure
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for neonatal and pediatric patients with critical conditions such a diaphragmatic hernia, severe respiratory failure, and shock
• Noninvasive ventilator support including CPAP, BiPAP, and high-flow, high-humidity nasal cannula oxygen therapy
• An extensive program of parental teaching and support to prepare families of technology-dependent children transition to their home environment

Our Physicians