Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

The Pediatric Critical Care Unit of The Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) dedicates its resources and expertise to the specialized needs of critically ill or injured infants, children, and adolescents, as well as those recovering from high-risk surgery. Our nationally recognized, board-certified pediatric intensive care specialists and critical care nurses oversee a bright, roomy and state-of-the-art 14 bed pediatric critical care unit (PCCU) and care for more than 1,000 patients from all over the world each year. 

Distinguished Support for Patients and Their Families

We understand that life-threatening situations are frightening to you and your child alike. That's why we've created a child friendly environment and practice family centered care. Each patient room is designed with your child's spirits and privacy in mind. All rooms are equipped with daybeds for parents, Internet access (bring your laptop!), a centralized monitoring system to observe patients around the clock, child-friendly décor, amazing window shades and spectacular views of the Bronx and New York City.

Parents receive a full orientation about what to expect through their child's stay here and may also request a pre-operative tour from our Child Life Specialists. Most importantly, our nurses and staff establish goals and a sound communications system with parents, so they can rest assured that the critical care team is dedicated to caring for their child.

Supervision and Direction of Your Child's Care

National organizations studying patient safety in the ICU have unanimously concluded that a patient's care is optimized and safety is maximized when an intensive care specialist directs ICU care. This is precisely the model we follow at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore. Two to three times a day, the ICU team led by the ICU attending physician and consisting of the fellows, residents, nurses and respiratory therapists rounds on each patient. During these rounds, the latest clinical information and care plans are reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted. The ICU team's assessment is always reviewed with your child's specialists or surgeons in order to make sure that all members of the CHAM team maintain accurate and up to the minute knowledge of your child. Your presence and input is sought and welcomed during the rounds on your child.

Who Needs Critical Care?

The Pediatric Critical Care Unit admits patients from various areas of CHAM (e.g. emergency and operating rooms and clinics) as well as receives transfers from other hospitals. Our specialists treat children for an array of serious conditions, including:

• Head trauma
• Abdominal, chest and orthopedic trauma
• Severe asthma, pneumonia and other breathing problems
• Acute respiratory (lung) failure
• Multi-organ dysfunction syndrome
• Acute lung injuries
• Cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary failure
• Sickle cell anemia and its crises
• Seizures
• Serious infections (e.g meningitis and encephalitis)
• Sepsis and septic shock
• Immune deficiencies
• Acute renal failure
• Severe hypertension
• Hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation
• Oncologic emergencies
• Intoxications and poisonings
• Dehydration
• Congenital and acquired heart diseases

Our team also administers post-operative care to children and young adults who have had surgical and catheterization repair of congenital heart lesions, surgery for rare congenital abnormalities, neurosurgery, kidney transplant, ear, nose, and throat surgery, spine surgery, orthopedic and ophthalmology procedures, as well as sophisticated airway reconstructive surgery.

Transport Center

Many of the children admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at CHAM arrive from other areas of NYC and NY State as well as other states throughout the northeast region with the help of our skilled transport team. This team is available 24/7 and will safely transfer children from other hospitals to ours, so they may experience the best possible treatment in the most expeditious manner. Transport and admission can be arranged by having your doctor call 718-741-2000.

Cutting-edge Care

The Pediatric Critical Care Unit is staffed with a multi-disciplinary team that includes: renowned physicians, critical care nurses, nursing attendants, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and child life workers. These professionals collaborate closely with one another and utilize state-of-the-art technology to provide the highest quality care for each child. CHAM and Montefiore Medical Center have specialists in every area of pediatric medicine and the critical care unit is able to draw on their expertise in the diagnosis and management of your child.

In addition to our award-winning staff, our emphasis on technological advances places us among the finest critical care units in the region. We offer all advanced methods of respiratory support including conventional and non-conventional mechanical ventilation, high frequency oscillatory ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for both respiratory and cardiac failure.  Our patients have 24/7 access to kidney dialysis and other renal replacement therapies. We utilize the most modern technologies of neurophysiologic monitoring including continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and continuous video electroencephalography (EEG). Our excellent clinical care is complemented by our ongoing research efforts in the areas of BiPAP, inhaled nitric oxide, noninvasive mechanical ventilation as well as the numerous clinical studies we have and continue to conduct to advance pediatric critical care medicine.

Peter Semczuk,