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depar

DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) here, started in 1991, was the first separate PICU in the private sector in Madras. It was completely renovated in 2004 and currently has 17 beds (10 ICU and 7 High Dependency). It is a purpose built, state-of-the art facility and every effort has been taken to meet the current guidelines for ICU’s, especially with reference to bed space, air conditioning, and infection control. There are two isolation suites equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

Facilities available include invasive monitoring, mechanical ventilation (non-invasive, conventional and high frequency oscillation), renal replacement therapy (peritoneal and hemodialysis), plasmapheresis and sedation for procedures. The ICU provides tertiary level care to seriously ill children from all over Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. Patients treated here include any critically ill child, with diseases such as severe asthma, serious infections (malaria, TB, meningitis, Dengue fever etc.), head injuries, heart failure etc. The ICU admits about 700 children annually and is run by Dr. Bala Ramachandran, who has over 21 years experience in treating critically ill children. Children who are too sick to be on the Pediatric Wards but do not require full intensive care are treated in the High Dependency unit.

EDUCATION

Education is an essential service of tertiary medical care centers – the ICU provides vital training in Pediatric Intensive Care to junior doctors and postgraduates from all over India. There is 24 hour in house coverage by qualified Pediatricians and postgraduate
trainees.

The PICU is recognized by the National Board of Examinations, New Delhi, for the 2 year National Board Fellowship in Pediatric Intensive Care and is also accredited by the College of Pediatric Critical Care for training postgraduates for a one year Diploma Course and 2 year Fellowship in Pediatric Intensive Care.

PEDIATRIC TRANSPORT

Transferring critically ill children is a specialized skill, requiring special equipment and training. The ICU offers the first dedicated Pediatric Intensive Care Transport service in Madras. A dedicated, fully equipped ambulance is available for the PICU. The ambulance has air conditioning, power supply, oxygen, a portable multi-parameter monitor, and pediatric transport ventilator – it functions as a true mobile PICU. A trained, dedicated team is available to retrieve critically ill children from referral hospitals. Patients have been transferred as far as 500 kms with this service.

CONSULTANTS:

Dr. Bala Ramachandran – Head of the Department

Dr. Kalaimaran Sadasivam

Dr. K Ravikumar