Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia

Comprehensive care for critical conditions

Our Level I Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)—the highest level achievable—provides lifesaving care for infants, children and adolescents facing severe health challenges. Our multidisciplinary pediatric-focused team includes pediatric intensivists, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric pharmacists, pediatric nutrition specialists and more. We are committed to delivering the highest level of comprehensive care to meet each child’s unique needs.

The PICU handles a broad spectrum of critical conditions, including:

• Heart anomalies and heart failure
• Multisystem organ failure
• Post-operative care following complex pediatric surgeries
• Severe respiratory distress and failure
• Trauma and head injuries

Each child in our PICU receives an individualized care plan that’s designed by a team of multidisciplinary specialists. The care team includes medical professionals, social workers, Child Life Specialists and other support staff.

A leader in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

For critically ill children whose hearts and lungs need extra support, our pediatric ECMO program offers a lifesaving bridge to recovery. We are one of only two pediatric centers in Georgia equipped with the advanced technology and expertise required to perform ECMO. This service is crucial for conditions such as severe pneumonia, sepsis or heart failure. It gives a child’s body time to heal while maintaining vital organ function.

Our approach to patient- and family-centered care

We understand that a child’s hospitalization is a frightening and stressful experience for families. That’s why we prioritize patient- and family-centered care. We place our patients, their families and caregivers at the center of the care process and involve them in all decisions surrounding treatment. We also provide emotional support, education and clear communication at every step.

Why choose us?

We combine an expert team, cutting-edge facilities and comprehensive support to deliver unparalleled care.

This is why we are the region’s premier choice for pediatric critical care.

• An expert team of pediatric critical care specialists provides the best possible outcomes for our patients.
• Comprehensive support extends beyond medical care. We offer developmental follow-up programs, psychological support and access to pediatric subspecialties.
• State-of-the-art facilities include a Level I PICU. The facilities feature the highest level of advanced monitoring and life-support technologies including ECMO, ventilators and specialized beds designed for the unique needs of critically ill children.
• We are only hospital in the area to offer an ECMO program for neonatal and pediatric patients who need lifesaving heart-lung oxygenation.
• Since 2006, we have continuously earned the Gold Award for Excellence in Life Support from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). U.S. News & World Report and Parents magazine recognize the ELSO Award as criteria for top pediatric hospitals.

Provider referrals

If you are referring physician with a premature infant or sick child in your care who needs ECMO, we transport even the smallest and sickest children using dedicated neonatal transport and pediatric transport teams. We will come by ground or air to any hospital in Georgia (or the surrounding area) to pick up your patient and get them to Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia for treatment.

For immediate referrals to our ECMO programs, call (706) 446-2464. Please specify whether you need the neonatal or pediatric team.