Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a specialized care environment dedicated to the treatment of critically ill infants and children, primarily those experiencing non-cardiac conditions such as respiratory failure, sepsis, traumatic injuries, and complex post-operative recovery.

Learn More / Contact Us

• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

ON THIS PAGE:
For Your Stay | Finding Your Way | What to Expect | Family Resources

For Your Stay

Visiting Guidelines

• Parents or legal guardians are allowed at bedside 24 hours per day; there are no scheduled visiting hours. All other visitors require permission by parents or legal guardians of patient.
• Only two visitors are permitted at the bedside at any time; however, exceptions may be approved by a manager or charge nurse.
• Families and visitors are required to call the front desk before entering the unit, identifying themselves and the patient they’d like to see.
• Children are welcome to visit if they are with a responsible adult.
• Parents or guardians are welcome to stay through the night; however we cannot always provide sleeping accommodations due to limited space. For more information, connect with a member of our social work team.

Hand Hygiene & Illness

• Hand washing is required upon entry and exit of the unit, and before and after use of the kitchen area.
• Anyone with a fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, or a communicable disease (like chickenpox) should not visit our unit.

Finding Your Way

Parking

• University of Alberta Hospital - Parking Map

Where We're Located

Unit 3A2 is located on the 3rd floor of the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

From the main Stollery entrance (south doors) at 114th street, take the glass elevators behind the Stollery bear statues to the third floor, turn right and then take your immediate left down the hallway. Our unit entrance is across from the fish tank.

What to Expect

Your Child's Care

A PICU health care team consisting of physicians and nurses will begin working with you and your child as soon as they arrive on our unit. You will be introduced to your child’s health care providers and have an orientation to the unit and our general routines. You will also be given an information package including your child’s Patient ID number (which you will need if telephoning the unit for information or an update).

Family Support

Having a child in the PICU is often unplanned and can be an overwhelming experience for patients and families. We welcome all of your questions and concerns and there are a variety of support resources available to meet you and your child’s needs. We encourage you to speak to member of your health care team, a social worker, or ask to be connected with the Family Centered Care program at the Stollery.

Family Resources

• Guide to Services for Patients and Families
• Learning about ICU Equipment
• Learning about the ICU Environment
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Rapid Response Team Brochure
• Safer Together Brochure
• Stollery Hand Hygiene Brochure