Pediatric Intensive Care

The UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is the only PICU in Central Massachusetts. If your child has life-threatening medical, surgical or trauma care needs, our experts can help.

Our PICU is staffed by board-certified pediatric critical care specialists who coordinate and direct a team of highly skilled pediatric critical care nurses, child life specialists, nutritionists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and social workers who are dedicated to the care of your child.

Keeping your child and family at the center of care is our priority. You are an important part of your child's team of caregivers, and we encourage you to take part in the care planning for your child. 

Watch the video below about taking care of our patients in the PICU.

PICU Services

Advanced respiratory support - The PICU care team uses advanced ventilation devices to help children of all ages with respiratory issues.  These include high flow oxygen; noninvasive ventilation; and mechanical ventilation with conventional, high pressure, or high frequency modes.

Trauma services - UMass Memorial is the region's only pediatric trauma center, staffed 24-hours per day by pediatric trauma injury specialists. The PICU staff is available around-the-clock for consultation on stabilizing and transporting critically ill or injured children.

Postoperative care – Children who need post-operative care in a closely monitored setting are frequently admitted to the PICU. Surgical care is coordinated between the pediatric surgeons and intensive care physicians. The PICU team manages children who have had neurosurgery; general surgery; and orthopedic, ear, nose, and throat, plastic, and trauma surgeries.

Medical expertise for critical illness – We provide outstanding medical care for severe asthma or bronchiolitis, respiratory failure, infectious diseases (such as meningitis or sepsis), complications from diabetes, significant neurological diseases (such as seizures) and toxic ingestions.

Renal replacement therapy – If your child is in renal (kidney) failure, our team offers a range of services, including hemodialysis.

Medical expertise for critical illness – We provide outstanding medical care for severe asthma or bronchiolitis, respiratory failure, infectious diseases (such as meningitis or sepsis), complications of diabetes, significant neurological diseases (such as seizures), and toxic ingestions.

Solid organ transplantation support – Our PICU caregivers provide postoperative services for children receiving a kidney transplant.

Diagnostic imaging – When needed, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI services are available.

Life Flight helicopter - Our air ambulance physicians and nurses stabilize and transport critically ill infants and children around-the-clock.