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Pediatric Critical Care
Rely on the experts at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, to provide comprehensive critical care to children of all ages in our dedicated pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We offer a healing environment with staff who are focused on treating the medical and developmental needs of children, as well as supporting their families.
What Does PICU Mean?
A pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is a department in a health care facility where specially trained professionals treat patients who are in need of a high level of care and constant monitoring.
Critical Care for Children
Pediatric critical care is the specialized care of children and adolescents who are recovering from a life-threatening condition. Depend on the compassionate staff at Essentia to provide:
- 24/7 care and monitoring
- Daily rounds at your child’s bedside, where you can receive updates and ask questions
- Emotional support and encouragement to your entire family
- Referrals to community resources
- Safe sedation services, if needed
- Education about at-home and follow-up care
You’ll appreciate Essentia’s family-centered approach to care. We consider your family’s preferences, needs, and comfort. Participate in your child’s care at a level that works for you. You can also stay by your child's side and visit them whenever you’re able. There are no set visiting hours in the PICU.
What's a Pediatric Intensivist?
Your PICU team is led by a pediatric intensivist—a doctor with advanced training in pediatric critical care. That means you benefit from the experience and education of a doctor who specializes in treating very ill patients.
Your Child’s Medical Team
Rest assured that your child will receive the best possible medical care from a team of health care professionals with specialized training. Your child’s team may consist of:
- Pediatric intensivists
- Pediatric specialists
- Pediatricians
- Nurse practitioners
- Registered nurses (certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- Clinical support staff with diverse experience in many pediatric specialties
- Child life specialists
Learn about an Essentia Health doctor's path that brought her to care for critically ill children.