About the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU)
Our new state-of-the-art facility with 20+ beds is one of the most technologically advanced in the state. We care for newborns, infants, children, and young adults with a wide range of heart conditions, and we offer the entire spectrum of critical cardiac care. Our unit is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a diverse team led by doctors with specific training in critical and heart care. Our specialized nurses and respiratory therapists deliver the highest level of care with experience and compassion.
Team of Dedicated Heart Specialists
Our providers -- including pediatric cardiac intensivists, cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists, child life specialists, social workers, nutritionists, and other expert subspecialists -- collaborate to provide customized care for your child. This team meets several times a day to evaluate your child’s status and plan next steps.
Treatment and Safety Technology
Our rooms are equipped with innovative monitoring and safety tools designed to constantly assess and report on your child’s condition. Advanced therapies are readily available to meet your child’s needs at any given moment, including cardiac, respiratory, and renal support. This includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, a machine that partially or fully bypasses the heart and lungs to give them a chance to heal) and ventricular assist devices (VADs, which support the lower chambers of the heart) that may be used in children with heart failure as a bridge to heart transplantation. Further, our PCICU serves as a national leader in patient safety and performance initiatives.
About Our Dedicated Pediatric Cardiac Stepdown Unit
Just like the PCICU, Duke Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center’s dedicated cardiac stepdown unit provides around-the-clock care, including continuous heart and oxygen saturation monitoring. Your child’s care team will meet daily to discusses your child’s progress, new test results, and discharge goals. The rounding team includes pediatric cardiologists, nurse practitioners, cardiology fellows, residents, nurses, pharmacists, registered dietitians, and you, the parents. We also collaborate with social workers, respiratory therapists, occupational and physical therapists, speech therapists, and child life specialists, when needed.
Preparing for Home
One of our main goals is to help your child transition from the postoperative period and prepare you to care for your child at home. Our dedicated nurse navigator and bedside nurses will teach you how to administer medications, use equipment, and prepare for any emergencies.
