Specialty Units 

One of the reasons children are sent to Stony Brook Children’s is for the advanced, highly specialized care. Some of this care is delivered on the general pediatric units by specialists, but often it is delivered on a specialty unit that has highly individualized equipment, practices and staff. If your child is on one of these units, policies and procedures may differ from unit to unit. While your child’s nurse can let you know what to expect, here are some things you should be aware of in advance. 

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) 

This specialized unit cares for children with the most serious injuries and illnesses, many of whom need 24/7 close monitoring, specialized equipment and ongoing support in order to maintain normal body functions. 

What to Expect: Your child will be examined by a team of physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists. They will gather information to help determine your child’s plan of care. Once your child has been assessed, a member of the healthcare team will explain your child’s current plan of care. 

Equipment: You may see many pieces of equipment involved in your child’s care. Most make sounds or have alarms that provide information to the staff caring for your child. Not all sounds mean there is a problem. Sometimes the alarms ring because you are moving or the nurse has interrupted the monitor.

The room monitors are also displayed at three central monitors throughout the PICU so your child is always being monitored, even if the nurse or provider is not at the bedside. Your nurse can explain the alarms and equipment to you. 

The Team: The PICU is staffed by fellowship-trained pediatric physicians and critical care nurses with highly specialized expertise in caring for these patients. They work alongside other medical experts, including pediatric surgeons, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, child life specialists, hospital aides, unit coordinators, registered dietitians and pediatric residents. 

All PICU nurses are certified in pediatric advanced life support (PALS). 

Daily Routine: The nurses of the PICU care for your child during 12-hour shifts. The day shift is from 7 am to 7:30 pm, and the night shift is from 7 pm to 7:30 am. You’ll note a half-hour overlap in schedules. This is when the nurses give each other comprehensive reports about your child’s needs. 

The PICU can be a busy place during the day. New patients may be admitted following surgery or procedures. You may be asked to step out of your child’s room or unit briefly while your child’s nurse completes the new patient admission, but are welcome to stay if the staff thinks it appropriate. If you need to leave, your child’s nurse will continue to monitor your child during this time. 

Also know that parents and visitors are required to leave the patient room during procedures performed at the bedside. Since some of the rooms have more than one patient, you will be asked to leave even if the procedure is being done on another patient in the room. 

Communication: If you are unable to be at the hospital, you may phone the PICU at any time for a report on your child’s condition. The direct number to the PICU is (631) 216-3670. 

The PICU staff is only able to give information to parents or legal guardians. For phone updates, we ask that you give us a password, which is documented inside the cover of the patient chart. Note that we are unable to share any information about other patients in the PICU. Please respect their confidentiality as they respect yours. 

Transfers: As your child’s health improves, he or she may be transferred from the PICU to a different unit within the hospital. If this is the case for your child, you will receive a transfer letter from the PICU nurse. At that time the nurse will review routines with you and introduce you to the nurse from the unit your child is being transferred to. This nurse will then give you a tour and review unit procedures with you to ensure a smooth transition. 

Pediatric Acute and Adolescent Acute Units 

While most policies in this guide apply to these units, here are several additional notes from the staff: 

• We encourage you to actively participate in your child’s care.
• Please participate by asking questions and providing information when the physician team visits your child, as well as when the nurses make their shift reports at 7 am and 7 pm. 

Hematology/Oncology Unit 

This specialized unit of the hospital cares for children with the most serious injuries and illnesses, such as cancer and blood-related diseases. The team is specially trained to care for your child, and order and administer medications, such as chemotherapy, commonly known as cancer-fighting medications. There is also a Neutropenic Playroom on the unit for your child to have access to toys, games and other activities.