Level I PICU

The PICU at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach is a Level I PICU based on the AAP Policy.

The PICU at Miller Children’s is a designated California Children's Services Regional Special Care Center. Miller Children's PICU is one of only eight pediatric critical care centers in Los Angeles County and is equipped and staffed to provide the following:

• Continuous monitoring of all vital signs
• Care of the intubated/mechanically ventilated patient
• Postoperative recovery and care
• Intracranial pressure monitoring, includes PbO2 monitoring.
• Arterial, venous, and pulmonary artery catheter monitoring
• Chest tube Insertion and Central and Arterial Line Placement
• Assistance with procedures, such as Bronchoscopies, but not limited to
• Isolation

Miller Children’s features a team of respiratory therapists dedicated exclusively to the PICU, who partner with pediatric pulmonologists and use the latest advances in respiratory care for its patients:

• Converter ventilation
• High frequency ventilation
• Inhaled Nitric Oxide
• Non-invasive mechanical ventilation
• Home ventilator program
• ECMO

Patient Care is under the direction of the patient’s attending physician and/or subspecialist. A Board Certified Pediatric Intensivist is on campus 24 hrs/day Monitoring and evaluating the Quality and Appropriateness of care is provided. Clinical laboratory services, including microbiology and blood bank, are readily available 24 hours a day. Diagnostic radiological services and the operating room are also readily available 24 hours a day.

Other services include, imaging services, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, renal dialysis and nutrition services.

Support services from Miller Children’s and outside agencies utilized include social workers to assess and manage psychosocial issues, case managers to make referrals for follow up after discharge through home health nursing and arrange for durable medical equipment needed for discharge.