Pediatric Cardiac Inpatient Care

Our state-of-the-art facility with 20+ beds is one of the most technologically advanced in the state. We care for newborns, infants, children, and young adults with a wide range of heart conditions, and we offer the entire spectrum of critical cardiac care. Our unit is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a diverse team led by doctors with specific training in critical and heart care. Our specialized nurses and respiratory therapists deliver the highest level of care with experience and compassion.

Treatment and Safety Technology

Our rooms are equipped with innovative monitoring and safety tools designed to constantly assess and report on your child’s condition. Advanced therapies are readily available to meet your child’s needs at any given moment, including cardiac, respiratory, and renal support. This includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, a machine that partially or fully bypasses the heart and lungs to give them a chance to heal) and ventricular assist devices (VADs, which support the lower chambers of the heart) that may be used in children with heart failure as a bridge to heart transplantation. Further, our PCICU serves as a national leader in patient safety and performance initiatives.

Just like the PCICU, Duke Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center’s dedicated cardiac stepdown unit provides around-the-clock care, including continuous heart and oxygen saturation monitoring. Your child’s care team will meet daily to discusses your child’s progress, new test results, and discharge goals. The rounding team includes pediatric cardiologists, nurse practitioners, cardiology fellows, residents, nurses, pharmacists, registered dietitians, and you, the parents. We also collaborate with social workers, respiratory therapists, occupational and physical therapists, speech therapists, and child life specialists, when needed.  

Preparing for Home

One of our main goals is to help your child transition from the postoperative period and prepare you to care for your child at home. Our dedicated nurse navigator and bedside nurses will teach you how to administer medications, use equipment, and prepare for any emergencies.

Family Focus

We are strongly committed to family-centered care and clear and timely communication. We encourage your family to be actively involved as members of your child’s care team and join in on daily rounds. We understand that you know your child best, and we want your input. In addition, we want to accommodate family members as much as possible through what can be a challenging and scary time. Parents or other designated loved ones are welcome to stay with their child 24/7.

Neurodevelopmental Program 

Since babies with cardiac problems may experience neurodevelopmental challenges, we have staff dedicated to this aspect of your child’s wellbeing. Our program nurse coordinates weekly discussions with your child’s care team, educates families about the importance of neurodevelopmental care, and provides enrichment activities. For many children up to age 2, after they are well enough to go home, our neurodevelopmental specialists can follow up regularly with them in our Pediatric Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Clinic.

Nurse Navigator

Managing your child’s care can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s why we have a full-time nurse navigator who is dedicated to helping you by answering your questions and coordinating with your care team.