Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care

The dedicated Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides both effective treatment as well as a safe environment for patients of all ages with congenital or acquired (e.g. myocarditis, Kawasaki disease) heart disease. Eight cardiac intensivists lead a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other staff devoted to the care of these patients. The typical patient population of this 10-bed unit includes neonates and adults, post-operative surgical patients, patients with heart failure and unstable arrhythmias and heart and/or lung transplants.

Cardiac Critical Care Expertise

• A multidisciplinary team composed of board certified physicians from a variety of backgrounds (critical care medicine, pediatric cardiology, pediatric anesthesia, cardiac surgeons)
• Dedicated pharmacy and nutritional services
• Parents are encouraged to join in on rounds so that they may have their questions answered

Cardiac Critical Care Specialties

• Blood conservation measures
• Evidenced-based medicine
• Early extubation strategy
• Order entry systems (EPIC) to minimize drug errors and enhance communication/documentation
• Pain & Sedation team available 24/7
• Use of patient simulator & mock codes to improve staff CPR knowledge and outcome
• Innovative management strategies of single ventricle patients
• Reducing infection in the ICU