Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

UH Rainbow’s State-of-the-Art Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

The UH Rainbow Heart Center’s new PCICU features 12 spacious private patient rooms along with family-friendly support spaces. The new unit is equipped with the most advanced technology for treating those of all ages with congenital heart disease as well as infants and children with acquired heart disease. The PCICU cares for pre- and post-operative patients as well as patients with nonsurgical cardiac conditions, including cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and rhythm abnormalities. We perform cardiac surgeries of all complexities. Complex pediatric catheterization, electrophysiology procedures and fetal cardiac interventions are performed in our adjacent Pediatric Cardiac Cath Lab/Hybrid Operating Rooms.

Seamless Care for Patients

The unit, located on UH Rainbow’s 2nd floor, is adjacent to the 10-bed pediatric cardiac stepdown unit, offering a seamless environment for children transitioning between different levels of care. The two units are also contiguous to the UH Rainbow Heart Center’s hybrid surgical and catheterization suites, electrophysiology lab, and the pediatric intensive care unit, as well as UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital’s Labor & Delivery Unit. This centralized positioning maximizes our ability to rapidly treat the most critically ill pediatric cardiac patients, while minimizing distance and time required for transport and offers outstanding continuity of care.

Dedicated Team

The UH Rainbow Heart Center’s PCICU is staffed with a dedicated team of physicians, advanced practice providers, cardiothoracic nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, child life therapists, social workers and other expert healthcare professionals. All of our team members have specialized training and expertise in pediatric cardiac critical care. Patients are treated by experts in pediatric cardiac critical care medicine, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and anesthesia.

Advanced Technology

The state-of-the-art PCICU provides families with access to some of the most advanced technologies available for pre- and post-surgical patients as well as nonoperative cardiac care. Our facility offers the latest in cardiac imaging and advanced mechanical support, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Our new facility also allows for some procedures to be performed in the PCICU rooms so patients do not need to be transported to an operating room.

Family-Friendly Environment

The unit has been designed with plenty of windows to allow natural light and child- and family-friendly décor. The space also includes warm touches that reflect the compassionate care we provide while enriching the patient and family experience. Spacious, private rooms allow parents to sleep at their child’s bedside throughout their child’s stay. Additional amenities include access to Wi-Fi, desk space, family showers, nourishment center and lounge areas all within the intensive care unit.