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A B C D E F G H I K L M P R S T W All Services
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
The Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) at UCSF Children's Hospital provides extraordinary high-level care for newborns, infants and children with congenital and acquired heart defects or disease.
Our doctors and nurses are among the world's most experienced in treating congenital heart disease and have been pivotal in developing new therapies such as radioablation therapy for heart rhythm disturbances, catheter-based treatments, pulmonary vascular therapies, surgical strategies that protect the neurological system and cardio-pulmonary support called rapid-deployment extracorporeal assist devices.
Your child will be cared for by a team of pediatric specialists including cardiologists, anesthesiologists, congenital heart surgeons and intensivists, who have additional training in caring for very sick children. We are committed to excellent care and family participation as well as to research to improve the care we provide.
Located on the seventh floor of UCSF Children's Hospital, the unit includes eight beds for children and adolescents up to age 21 suffering heart conditions or recovering from surgery or catheter-based treatment. Another nine beds are devoted to "monitored care" for those who don't require one-on-one nursing but aren't ready for regular hospital care or for release from the hospital. Newborns with heart problems also may be cared for in the Intensive Care Nursery once their heart conditions are stabilized.
The PCICU along with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) make up the pediatric intensive care services at UCSF Children's Hospital, which together care for more than 1,000 children a year. About half are children — including newborns — who are already our patients. Others arrive by ambulance, helicopter and airplane from throughout the western United States. For information on transport options, refer to the Pediatric Transport Service.
Family Participation
The care we provide is family-centered, meaning our health professionals work to provide care that revolves around your family. While your child is in the PCICU, we encourage you to spend as much time as possible with your child.
When you arrive at the unit, our staff at the front desk will direct you to your child. Sometimes it's necessary to move children to different areas so please check in at the front desk.
Visiting
Parents may visit at any time. However, you may be asked to leave the PCICU if there's an emergency or a need to perform a special procedure.
Sisters and brothers may visit after being screened by our unit service coordinator. Please closely supervise your children at all times. Children under the age of 12 who are not siblings are not allowed in the PCICU.
Family members and friends may visit if accompanied by a patient's parent. When a parent can't visit for an extended period, arrangements can be made to allow relatives or friends to visit unaccompanied by a parent. However, you must leave written permission with the unit service coordinator. Please keep in mind that we may need to limit the number of visitors to maintain a calm and safe environment.
For visitors, we have a waiting room with a TV. There also is a kitchen equipped with a microwave oven, refrigerator, freezer and cabinets that you may use if you wish to bring food to the hospital. Please ask your nurse if you have questions.
Visitors are not allowed if they have colds, flu or fever or if they were recently exposed to a contagious disease.
Security
Children wear identification bands at all times. Medical staff members caring for your child also must wear UCSF identification badges.
Support Services
The following services are available to ensure that parents and family members are fully informed and to help with emotional, financial and family concerns.
Child Life Services — The Child Life staff works with each family to ensure that their needs are being met while they are cared for at UCSF Children's Hospital. Child life specialists are available to help you prepare your child for medical treatments and procedures. We use teaching tools, special dolls and medical equipment to explain procedures to you and your child. We also help determine your child's level of understanding, including any misconceptions, and can help your child develop coping strategies like imagery, distraction and relaxation to reduce anxiety. Michael Towne is the child life specialist for the PCICU. He can be reached at (415) 353-1203, extension 4. Social Workers — All families are contacted by a social worker who will answer questions, help solve family-related problems such as temporary housing and financial concerns and provide emotional support. PCICU social workers include Judith Laughlin at (415) 353-1865 and Anne Boulter at (415) 353-4790. Family Resource coordinator Gina Kossler at (415) 353-2016 assists with accommodations, transportation, California Children's Services programs and other practical family needs. Spiritual Care — Spiritual care can be a source of comfort. Chaplains are available at all times. A PCICU staff member can help you contact this service or you may call (415) 353-1941 or the on-call chaplain at (415) 719-2602 after regular business hours.
More Information
During a child's stay in the PCICU, parents may call (415) 353-1955 to speak with a child's nurse or doctor.
Our physicians — who are pediatric heart specialists and intensive care specialists called intensivists — include:
Doctors who would like to transfer a patient to the PCICU should call the Pediatric Hotline at (877) UC-CHILD or (877) 822-4453.
For help finding a doctor, please contact our Physician Referral Service.
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