Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care (PCICU)

We know an ICU stay can be overwhelming. Our PCICU is designed to support both medical care and family well‑being. Patient rooms provide space for caregivers, and features such as Drew’s Lamp allow children to adjust room lighting to create a more comfortable and less intimidating environment.

Child life specialists, music therapists, and facility dogs provide emotional support throughout each child’s stay, while staff use comfort‑focused care whenever possible. For families traveling from across Iowa and beyond, we can help with practical needs such as parking, lodging, and meal options so you can focus on your child.

Behind the scenes, our team follows strict safety and quality practices to reduce infection risk, protect skin integrity, and support healing. Nutrition, pain management, physical therapy, and early rehabilitation are integrated into care plans so recovery can begin as soon as it is safe to do so.

Each day, families meet with the full care team during family‑centered rounds, typically held in the morning and again in the evening. We share updates clearly, explain medical decisions, and review information as often as needed, recognizing that there is a lot to take in. When additional procedures or testing are needed, care is coordinated across specialties to support smooth transitions.

An attending physician is present in the unit at all times, and your child’s bedside nurse is always nearby. When it is time to transition out of the ICU, we help prepare you for the next phase of recovery and review what to expect after transfer or discharge home.