The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Joseph’s Children’s Health Center (CHC) treats the most critically ill and injured children from the Southwestern region of the United States. It is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Arizona accredited by the American College of Surgeons. Each year, the CHC’s 24-bed unit treats more than 1,500 pediatric patients. The PICU is committed to family-centered care since family involvement is imperative to the recovery process. Parents and other family members are encouraged to assist in daily care and to be involved during patient rounds with physicians. Each room is equipped with a built-in day-bed and a private bathroom with a shower for patients and their families.

The PICU brings together an exceptional team of nurses and nurse practitioners, therapists and physician specialists to care for patients following severe trauma, or heart, neurological, orthopedic or craniofacial surgery. Pediatric intensivists - pediatricians with specialized training in critical care management - are on-duty 24 hours a day to oversee care for all patients.

The PICU is capable of treating a multitude of conditions. One of the unit’s most distinguishing factors is its collaboration with the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute®. For example, children from across the globe have traveled to Barrow to receive treatment for Hypothalamic Hamartomas (HH) - brain tumors that were once considered incur- able. HH patients come to Barrow for surgery and receive follow-up care in the PICU.

The PICU is a vital component of the CHC’s commitment to offering patients and their families the highest standard of care.