Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

WHY IS YOUR CHILD IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT?

There are several reasons why a child must be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: being born premature, having serious infections, respiratory problems, having undergone surgery recently or suffering from an illness that s this type of care. The paediatricians responsible for the care of your child will explain the reason. Although the medical team, the nurses and the auxiliaries will give your child specialist care, we believe that your child also needs the love and company that only their parents can give, and that this will greatly contribute to better recovery.

WHAT IS THE PICU?

• In the Unit, you will find a large number of devices, cables, monitors, etc. It is a noisy, active and, to a certain extent, disconcerting place for those who have never been in it or are unfamiliar with it. The professionals who work there will try to explain the techniques that are going to be used on our child in a simple manner.
• We want your stay in the PICU to be as pleasant as possible. Parents will pass through the access area in their normal clothing after having sufficiently washed their hands. We ask that you inform us if you have cold symptoms which could be contagious to others so that we can provide you with a mask.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOOKING AFTER YOUR CHILD?

The team providing 24-hour care for your child is made up of doctors, nurses and auxiliary nurses who all specialise in caring for severely ill children.

• We work with a TEAM such that the staff of the unit know all the patients. This approach means that your child can be physically treated by the different members of the team.
• Every day, your child's development is presented in a clinical session, the most appropriate decisions for their treatment are taken. At the end of the morning shift, your child's paediatrician will inform you of their state and development, clarifying any doubts that may have arisen.
• Each child is cared for by a nurse and an auxiliary nurse. In addition to their excellent technical level, your will find them to be an important source of support for you and the children.
• The on-call doctor is responsible for your child during the night and on holidays, and will inform you of any significant change in their development.

The medical information is confidential and, except with express authorisation, will only be provided to the parents or legal guardians. Information will not be provided over the telephone; please ask your family members and friends to contact you to ask about the child.

The clinical documentation is also confidential; please do not take either the history or the charts. You can request clarification whenever necessary. Upon discharge, you will receive a medical report recording the development and all the tests carried out.

REMEMBER

• Wash your hands before and after touching your child.
• Always respect and fulfil the indications of the staff of the unit.
• Ask the doctors and nursing staff about anything you do not understand.
• You must not touch the technical equipment in the PICU.
• Give emotional support to your child: speak to and stroke them.
• Respect the privacy and rest of the other patients.

UNIT VISITS REGULATIONS

It is our wish that the parents and legal guardians be with their child as much as possible. They will always be welcome, although they must be aware of and respect a series of regulations, which are essential for the proper ing of the department and the well-being of the admitted patients.

1. Ring the bell. The staff of the unit will let you in. It may be convenient that you do not enter at that moment due to the condition or needs of one of the children.
2. Before entering the unit, you will be told to wash your hands: this is a basic measure to avoid infections and it will be done upon entering and leaving the unit.
3. One of the parents can remain with their child continuously, except:
• During nursing staff shift changes. When special procedures are being carried out.
• When a new patient is admitted.
4. During the night, if the child is sleeping or sedated, we recommend that you rest. This is essential to give all your support to your child. It will be necessary to provide contact telephone numbers at which you can always be reached.
5. Visiting hours for other family members:

• Mornings from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
• Evenings from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

Only 1 more relative may enter (2 people per cubicle/room), avoiding repeatedly coming in and going out, and following the indications of the nursing staff.

BASIC CPR AND CHILDHOOD ACCIDENT PREVENTION COURSE COURSE

Children do not come with an instruction manual under their arm, but we can spend a few hours of our time learning to deal with the dangerous situations that can occur with them on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, for your peace of mind, at Sanitas, we have designed the Basic CPR and Childhood Accident Prevention Course Course.

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