Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital is a 20 bed unit specially equipped to provide care to critically ill or injured pediatric patients from birth to young adulthood. The PICU team cares for children across a vast spectrum of health issues including trauma, surgery, respiratory, cardiac, hematology/oncology and neurologic disorders.

Our Team

Board certified pediatric intensivists staff the PICU 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They collaborate with many medical and surgical services to provide comprehensive care to critically ill children. The PICU intensivists also direct the transport of critically ill children to our unit from other hospitals in Oregon, Washington and the surrounding states.

Pediatric intensive care nurses are specially trained to provide state of the art care to infants, children and adolescent patient who require the highest level of medical or post surgical nursing care. Many PICU nurses are certified to provide pediatric critical care through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). All PICU nurses are certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

The PICU team also includes other personnel who have been specially trained to care for critically ill children and their families including: respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, child life specialists, hospital aides, and health unit coordinators.

Family Centered Care

The PICU is committed to caring for critically ill or injured children and their families in a family centered care environment.  We consider parents and primary caregivers as essential members of their child’s healthcare team.  We need your partnership to provide the best care for your child.  Parents are encouraged to attend multidisciplinary rounds, where the PICU team will plan your child’s care for the day.

Parents Guide to Life in the PICU

Parents and primary caregivers are welcome in the PICU 24 hours a day.  Other family members are encouraged to visit between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.  Nursing staff may request that only two additional visitors be allowed at the patient’s bedside at a time to allow for a peaceful, healing environment.  Parents and primary caregivers may spend the night in the PICU.  A daybed is provided in the back of each patient room as well as a bathroom for family use. Healthy siblings may visit but due to safety and space concerns may not sleep in the unit overnight.

Pain Management

While hospitalized, your child may experience varying levels of discomfort or pain.  Our goal is to make your child as comfortable as possible.  It is important to remember that some degree of pain is normal and expected following many procedures and most surgeries.  As parents, you can help by letting us know how your child expresses pain. You can support your child through touch, talking, music, etc.  Ask your team how to best support your child’s comfort.

Equipment and Monitoring

You may see many pieces of equipment involved in your child’s care. Most make sounds or have alarms that provide information to staff caring for your child.  Not all sounds mean there is a problem.  The room monitors also display at 4 central monitors throughout the PICU.  Your child is always being monitored, even if their nurse or provider is not at the bedside.

Locations

OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
700 S.W. Campus Drive
Portland, OR 97239
503-418-5800

On the 8th floor