Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is one of the few freestanding pediatric CICUs in the nation and the first dedicated pediatric cardiac unit in the Southeast. The unit provides care for heart patients with a wide range of acute to complex needs, including highly specialized preoperative and postoperative care for children undergoing cardiac surgery and interventional catheterization.
Our acuity-adaptable model of care enables hospitalized patients be the focal point in the care setting, allowing patients of all acuity levels to stay in the same room from admission to discharge. Each room is thoughtfully designed to allow for adaptation and smooth transitions between clinicians, treatments, and technologies. Innovative therapies and amenities available in the pediatric CICU include:
- Nitric oxide (an inhaled medication used to relax blood vessels)
- New inotropic agents
- Mechanical cardiac assist technology
- Bedside lab testing and results
- Computerized data collection and storage system providing an integrated database for management of patients with complex conditions
- Each private patient room includes accommodations for parents to stay at the bedside with the patient
CICU Services for Parents
- The CICU offers private rooms, a playroom and family lounge. In addition, parents have access to the Michael Fux Family Center featuring a library, movie theater, full kitchen, laundry facilities and gymnasium.