The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, treats patients with a wide range of serious pediatric conditions and combines inpatient hospitalization with ambulatory services. The unit cares for infants and children from birth through adolescence.
The PICU provides care for children who are medically unstable, suffering from life-threatening conditions, and/or need intensive monitoring and treatment. We provide comprehensive, advanced, compassionate, and equitable pediatric care to all children, while also supporting their families throughout hospitalization.
Care is provided by pediatric intensive care specialists and specially trained nursing staff, supported by a multidisciplinary team in a child-centered environment, with a strong commitment to excellence in care.
Reasons for ICU Hospitalization
- Recovery following major and/or complex surgeries
- Serious injuries with multi-system trauma, particularly head injuries
- Respiratory failure, such as severe asthma attacks or serious lung infections
- Systemic and multi-system deterioration in children with chronic conditions
- A variety of illnesses that may place a child in critical condition
- The need for assisted ventilation and intensive care
In addition, children may be admitted for intensive invasive or non-invasive monitoring and for procedures such as fiberoptic bronchoscopy, dialysis, hemofiltration, and catheter insertion.
What Does Treatment in the Unit Include?
Upon arrival at the unit, a physician and nurse will perform an initial medical assessment, connect your child to the appropriate monitoring and treatment equipment, and provide any immediate care required.
In most cases, parents will be asked to wait outside the unit until the initial assessment is completed. We make every effort to keep this waiting time as short as possible and will update you if there is a delay.
You will then be invited into the unit and receive an explanation about your child’s condition, treatment plan, the medical equipment being used, and how the unit operates.
Once intensive care is no longer required and your child’s condition allows, they will be transferred to one of the pediatric departments for continued care.
Parents receive detailed updates every day following the physicians’ rounds. Our medical and support staff are available around the clock to answer questions and provide assistance. The unit’s social worker is also available to support you as needed.
Visits to the Unit
Parental presence is an important part of the child’s care, and parents are encouraged to remain with their child around the clock, except in special circumstances when they may be asked to wait outside the unit.
Visitors other than parents are generally not permitted. In special circumstances, a family member may be allowed to visit with prior approval from the nurse in charge.
An entry code is required to access the unit and will be provided upon admission. Other approved visitors may enter using the intercom located by the entrance (button 2).
Before entering the unit, visitors must put on a gown and wash their hands in the entrance area. After the visit, gowns should be left in the designated area and hands should be disinfected before leaving.
Staying at the Unit
- Parents have access to a shared rest area, lounge, kitchenette, bathroom, and shower.
- Each family is allocated one bed for rest and overnight stays. Please use only the bed assigned to you out of consideration for other families sharing the room.
- Unlocked storage cabinets are available in the parents’ rest area.
- We recommend bringing a favorite washable toy for your child.
Promoting the academic mission
With a commitment to academic training, the unit:
- Trains future generations of medical, nursing and paramedical professionals
- Conducts research to advance medical knowledge, boost understanding of disease and cure, and promote optimal treatment methods
- Pursues innovation in diagnosis, treatment, and medical technology