Welcome to the St. John's Children's Hospital PICU. We want you to be involved in your child's plan of care. We recognize that a child's fear and level of stress may become quite elevated due to their unfamiliar surroundings, the unknown faces of staff members as well as an unknown illness. We would like to suggest that one parent (or a designated adult) be available either on campus or by telephone. If you have other children, you may need to make other arrangements for their care and support.

Click here for more information on St. John's Clinic Pediatric Critical Care

Meals
Adults staying with patients who are under the age of thirteen may also order one complimentary tray per meal from Room Service. Additional trays for other family members may also be ordered from Room Service but must be paid for when they are delivered. Please ask a member of the nursing staff if you have any questions concerning ordering meals.

There are vending machines on the floor, located near the chapel, for your convenience. The cafeteria is located on the ground floor of this building. Please let the nurse know if you have questions about obtaining your meal.

Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are limited to the following times:
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
12:00 am to 6:00 am

Visitors will be restricted during certain activities as instructed by nursing staff.

All visitors are required to wash their hands prior to visiting patients in the PICU. The nursing staff will be happy to instruction you in this process.

Sleeping Arrangements
If possible, we will provide sleeping arrangements for the parent/adult that is staying on campus such as a sleep chair or recliner within the waiting room, or an empty bed (if on is available) on the Pediatric Unit, or you may contact the Hospitality House at 820-2102. Also, you may contact the Ronald McDonald House at 417-875-3500; a van provides transportation to and from medical facilities, a washer/dryer with detergent (at no cost to you) located in the soiled utility room of Pediatrics, and clean linens when you desire.

The staff of the Pediatric Intensive Unit is aware that periodic breaks are very important to the parent. We feel that if your child is sleeping or is content, and you wish to leave the campus for a short period of time, please keep your nurse informed.

Child Life
Child Life Specialists are available to meet the developmental and psychosocial needs of hospitalized child. They offer therapeutic and/or medical play opportunities, sibling support, or to accompany the child during a procedure. They provide toys. movies, games and crafts to help maintain their normal play patterns and to help pass the time.

School age children
It will be the responsibility of the parent to contact the school concerning "make-up work". If your child is out of school 10 days or more, your child may be eligible for homebound assistance. Please seek guidance form a Child Life Specialist.

The PICU Nursing Station telephone number is 417-820-2907.