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6 Things to Know When Your Child is Diagnosed with CHD
The Ochsner Hospital for Children Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a specialized unit caring for patients between the ages of birth through 18 years. Some children require this expert care for a short time, while others may remain in there for many weeks.
The pediatric intensive care unit at Ochsner brings together a comprehensive team healthcare professionals all working together to care for children during their stay. This team includes the intensive care physicians, registered nurses, social workers, certified child life specialists, respiratory therapists and other therapists. Each day, the team visits each child and discusses the plan of care for that day. We encourage the child's primary care givers to participate in daily medical and nursing rounds on their child.
Having a child in the pediatric intensive care unit can be a very stressful time for families. Many parents feel a need to be with their child as much as possible. We encourage parents, family and friends to visit as often as possible. Siblings who are 10 years of age and older may visit as well. Parents will be asked to complete a sibling visitation form. All other visitors must be 14 years or older.
Primary Care Giver Visiting
Two primary care givers who are designated at the time of admission may visit during most hours of the day/night. Primary care givers will be issued ID bands identifying them as persons who have care giver visiting privileges. These ID bands may not be swapped, traded or loaned to anyone.
Primary Care Giver Visiting Hours
Primary care givers are allowed access to the PICU during most hours of the day/night. The exception is between 6:30 a.m./p.m. to 8:00 a.m./p.m. During these times only primary care givers may be in the patient room doors shut to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all patients. During this time no visitor/primary care giver is allowed to enter or leave the PICU. Exceptions to this policy will only be made by the Nurse in Charge.
Family and Friends Visiting Hours
9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. daily, (except during shift change 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.). Visitors are expected to self-monitor visiting times and may be reminded by staff when visiting time has ended.
Visiting Policy
The visiting policy is in place to ensure your child’s privacy as well as safety. The following guidelines will help you plan for your visit. Your child's nurse will provide you with a copy of detailed visiting guidelines during your first visit.
- Three visitors are permitted at the patient’s bedside at one time
- Visitors may not be allowed to enter if they are ill
- Every visitor must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when they enter and leave the patient’s room
- There is no eating in the PICU
- Cell phones must be turned off
- Potted plants and latex balloons are not allowed in the PICU
The following amenities are available for your convenience:
- Breast pumps are available
- Free wi-fi
- In room phones will dial locally by first pressing 9 then your local phone number
- The PICU rooms may be called directly at 504-842-82__ __ (enter room number into the blank spaces)
- Televisions and radios are in each room but should be kept to a reasonable volume, so as not to disturb other patients
- DVD/VCR players in each room
- There are showers available near the waiting room
The following are some options for overnight stays.
- Brent House Hotel
- To make a reservation, call: 504-842-4140 or 800-535-3986
- Ronold McDonald House - New Orleans
