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Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Bhubaneswar

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Bhubaneswar

Providing critical care for newborns, children, and adolescents with life-threatening illnesses or injuries is the focus of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a specialised medical unit. Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and manned by highly skilled healthcare workers, such as nurses, respiratory therapists, and paediatric intensivists. These units provide round-the-clock monitoring and treatment for ailments like respiratory distress, sepsis, trauma, and neurological disorders. Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Bhubaneswar prioritises family-centred care by providing parents and caregivers with education and support, making them essential healthcare team members. Primarily focused on prompt intervention and all-encompassing medical care, Paediatric Intensive Care Units aim to maximise results for their young patients. 

Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, has a top-notch PICU facility offering treatment and medical support for various illnesses in children.

FAQ's

PICU patients comprise infants, young children, adolescents, preteens, and teens. The majority of PICU patients are under the age of 18. Sick neonates and infants are taken care of in PICUs, where a neonatal intensive care unit is not available. The PICU is where critically ill children go to get care and attention. 

Children frequently go to the PICU for the following reasons:

  • Following surgery
  • Breathing and lung problems

  • Accidental injury

  • Severe infection

  • Complications of diabetes

  • Organ malfunction

  • Cancer

  • Seizures

The hospital unit that offers the greatest level of care to children is called the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, or PICU. The personnel in the PICU are specially trained in working with children, yet it is comparable to the ICU (intensive care unit), where adults receive specialised care. The specially trained staff makes children's comfort a priority and does whatever is possible to relieve them from illness. In general, the PICU may have a more kid-friendly atmosphere and the best equipment for nurturing children with illnesses. In general, other hospital departments do not offer the same quality of care that this unit does.

Children are frequently admitted to the PICU for the following reasons: 

  • Severe respiratory distress, such as lung failure necessitating mechanical ventilation, acute exacerbations of asthma, or pneumonia
  • Traumatic injuries requiring close observation and care, such as burns, head trauma, or significant fractures

  • Life-threatening infections that need intensive medical care and continuous monitoring, such as meningitis, sepsis, or severe pneumonia

  • Neurological emergencies requiring specialised care include status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral haemorrhage

  • Cardiovascular instability brought on by disorders such as cardiac arrhythmias, congenital heart abnormalities, or shock and necessitates close monitoring of blood flow

  • Post-operative care following complicated surgeries, particularly those involving the brain, heart, or other important organs

  • Metabolic or endocrine problems need close observation and treatment, such as adrenal crisis, diabetic ketoacidosis, or electrolyte abnormalities

 

The state of your child determines the response to this inquiry. A day or two is all that some children spend in the PICU. Some even spend months or even weeks. Longer stays are uncommon, though. According to one study, only 4.7% to 1% of children admitted to the PICU remained there for more than 12 days.

 

Various types of procedures and treatments are offered in the PICU to stabilise and treat life-threatening conditions in children. These include advanced monitoring, mechanical ventilation, intravenous medications, surgeries, dialysis and other critical care interventions.

 

  • Regularly monitor vital signs, such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and breathing rate, to spot any early warning indicators of problems.

  • Early detection of deteriorating health and prompt action, such as modifying drug regimens, controlling fluid intake, or adjusting mechanical ventilation parameters.

  • Close coordination between multidisciplinary teams comprising nurses, chemists, respiratory therapists, and paediatric intensivists is needed to quickly handle issues.

  • Making efficient use of sophisticated diagnostic techniques, including imaging investigations, laboratory testing, and bedside treatments, to recognise and treat issues. 

  • Frequent evaluation of the patient's status and reaction to therapy is needed to adjust the management strategy as needed.

  • Complete care to meet the patient's physical, mental, and emotional needs to promote healing and reduce complications.

Providing support during tough times might help parents and can be done as follows: 

  • Emotional support: Offering a secure environment in which parents can voice their worries, concerns, and frustrations and have those feelings acknowledged.
  • Information sharing: To reduce concerns, parents should provide accurate and transparent details regarding their child's illness, course of treatment, and prognosis.

  • Coping strategies: Educating parents on useful methods for handling stress, such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and reaching out for social support.

  • Support for decision-making: Helping parents weigh the advantages, disadvantages, and available treatments will enable them to make well-informed decisions about their child's care.

  • Referral to additional assistance services: Making necessary connections between parents and resources for spiritual care, support groups, or therapy.