Abstract

*Shaista Mir

ABSTRACT

A paediatric Intensive Care unit usually abbreviated to PICU is an area within a hospital specializing in the care of critically ill infants, children and teenagers. PICU was first established in Goran Haglund in 1995. In 196, John Downes established the first PICU in North America at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia The establishment of these two units would eventually lead to hundreds of PICUs. This number is still increasing in present day. The PICU will care for patients that are typically aged between birth up until their sixteenth birthday, diagnosed with (but not exclusive of); life-threatening potentially recoverable conditions, post-operative patients who may benefit from close nursing or technical support, and children with chronic complex medical co-morbidities which exceed the capabilities of other clinical care areas within the hospital. There will be instances where an adolescent aged 16 and over will be admitted to the PICU, where the transition to the specific adult services has not taken place. It is also widely recognised that end of life care, including potential organ donation and family bereavement counselling, are skills integral to the care of critically ill child, and are facilitated within the PICU.