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The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) located at Royal University
Hospital in Saskatoon is a specialized unit for babies and children
up to the age of 17 years. PICU staff provide constant care, observation
and specialized monitoring and therapies.
The philosophy of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is to
provide:
- Competent and complete care to the critically ill infant, child
and adolescent;
- Support to families of critically ill patients.
Confidentiality
Information about a child’s condition will only be given
to parents/guardians by the health care team. Parents/guardians
should not ask about other patients in the PICU or about their care.
Who Cares For the Children in the Unit?
The unit is staffed with doctors and nurses who are trained in
Pediatric Intensive Care. Dr. Tanya Holt is the Medical Director
of the PICU. Much of the daily care is provided by resident doctors
under the supervision of Dr. Holt or another intensive care doctor.
Pediatric intensive care Registered Nurses work with the doctors
to provide specialized care. If parents have any questions regarding
care, the nurses can answer those questions.
Along with nurses and doctors, children may be seen by the following
specialists:
- Respiratory therapists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Dieticians
- Social Workers
- Spiritual Care Workers
When Parents Visit Their Children
Parents are important to the recovery of their child. They are
encouraged to visit whenever possible. Although the Unit has 24
hour visiting, staff ask that parents and their children try to
maintain normal rest times.
The Unit staff try to accommodate each family’s needs. However,
the care of the child comes first and may at times delay visiting
times.
Nurses change shift at 7:30 to 8:00 morning and evening. Doctors
rounds are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is no visiting allowed during these times.
- Footwear is required at all times when parents are in a child’s
room and elsewhere on the Unit.
- Crib and bed rails should be raised when parents leave the
bedside.
- Cell phones should not be used in children’s rooms without
permission.
- All visitors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and there
is a limit of two visitors at a time.
What Should Parents Do Before Each Visit?
- Before each visit parents are asked to phone the unit (dial
1915) from the family waiting room. Parents are not allowed to
walk into the PICU from the waiting area unless they have phoned.
- Hands should be washed upon entering and leaving the Unit.
- If parents or children have been in contact with the measles,
mumps or chicken pox within the last three weeks, or have a cold
or skin rash, they should check with the nursing staff before
visiting.
Family Waiting Room
The PICU family waiting room is available to all families of patients
in the Unit.
- Adults must supervise children at all times.
- The number of visitors in the waiting room should be kept to
a small number so all families have access and room to wait. Extra
visitors may wait in the main mall area of the hospital or in
the main hallway outside the Unit.
- Valuables should not be left in the waiting room.
- If family members are planning to phone visitors, they should
phone directly to the waiting room by calling (306) 655-1939.
- Information about patients is only given to parents.
Caring for Your Child
Even though the doctors and nurses who work in the PICU provide
highly specialized care, parents are the experts on their children.
Parents are encouraged to participate in their children’s
care, if they can. A parent’s voice and touch can be very
comforting to a child. Rest is important to recovery so parents
should check with their child’s nurse about how much touching
the child should have.
Parents can bring in their child’s favourite blanket or toy
(with the child’s name clearly marked). Flowers are not allowed
in the PICU, but balloons, puzzles, books, etc. are usually enjoyed.
Accommodations Available to Parents
There are a number of accommodations available close to Royal University
Hospital. They include:
- Ronald McDonald House – call (306)244-5700
- Catherine’s Inn – call (306) 665-9111
- College Drive Inn – call (306) 934-7011 or 934-9039
- Parktown Hotel – call (306) 244-5564
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