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Pediatric intensive care unit
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Overview[edit | edit source]
A pediatric intensive care unit, usually abbreviated to PICUis an area within a hospital specializing in the care of critically ill infants, children, and teenagers.
A PICU is typically directed by one or more pediatric intensivists or PICU consultants [1] and staffed by doctors and nurses who are specially trained and experienced in pediatric intensive care. The unit may also have nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, physician assistants, physiotherapists, social workers and clerks on staff although this varies widely depending on geographic location.
The ratio of professionals to patients is generally higher than in other areas of the hospital, reflecting the acuity of PICU patients and the risk of life-threatening complications[2]. Complex technology and equipment is often in use, particularly mechanical ventilators and patient monitoring systems. Consequently, PICUs have a larger operating budget than many other departments within the hospital.[3]
History[edit | edit source]
Goran Haglund established the first pediatric intensive care unit, which he called a "pediatric emergency ward", in 1955.[4]
Infants were first kept intubated for long periods in the early 1960s[5]. Breathing tubes made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) allowed clinicians to avoid performing tracheostomy (surgically inserting a tube into the windpipe) in more children who required prolonged mechanical ventilation.[5]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Frankel, Lorry R; DiCarlo, Joseph V (2003). "Pediatric Intensive Care". In Bernstein, Daniel; Shelov, Steven P. Pediatrics for Medical Students (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 541. ISBN 9780781729413.
- ↑ Pronovost, PJ; Dang, D; Dorman, T; et al. (2001). "Intensive Care Unit Nurse Staffing and the Risk for Complications after Abdominal Aortic Surgery". Effective Clinical Practice. American College of Physicians–American Society of Internal Medicine. 4 (5): 199–206. PMID 11685977. Retrieved 2009-01-08. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Moerer O; Plock E; Mgbor U; et al. (2007). "A German national prevalence study on the cost of intensive care: an evaluation from 51 intensive care units". Critical Care. BioMed Central. 11 (3): R69. doi:10.1186/cc5952. PMC 2206435. Retrieved 2009-01-08. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Morton 1997: 3
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Duke, Trevor (2008). "Pediatric Intensive Care: a Global Perspective". In David G Nichols. Roger's Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care (4th ed.). PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 18–23. ISBN 9780781782753. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help)
Cited texts[edit | edit source]
- Morton, Neil S (1997). Paediatric Intensive Care. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192625113.
External links[edit | edit source]
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