Sub-specialty Support

Resuscitation: Critical care attendings and fellows serve as team leaders for all Code Blue events hospital wide. The Rapid Response Team (RRT) comprised of a Critical Care Fellow, PICU RN, PICU RT, and pharmacist respond to approximately 30-40 RRT calls monthly. The Code Committee, which reviews all RRT and Code Blue events, oversees quality, safety, and process issues related to codes and implements change as needed. It is co-chaired by the Medical Director of the PICU, Dr. Deborah Franzon. In collaboration with the Center of Patient Safety Outcomes and Clinical Effectiveness, a hospital-wide Comprehensive Resuscitation Program, which will consist of ongoing in situ training and mock codes, will be overseen by faculty members within the Division. This program will provide a rich platform for ongoing resuscitation performance and education research. Many department faculty are PALS certified, and resuscitation simulation for staff and fellows occurs at any one of the simulation centers across campus including CAPE, La Ki Shing, and the AHA PALS training center.

Transfer Center: Medical direction for the pediatric transport program comes from within the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. The pediatric transport program has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years. It presently consists of 24/7 dedicated Transport Nurse Specialists and Transport Respiratory Therapists with dedicated LPCH ambulances, managing volumes up to 60 transports per month. The team travels primarily by ambulance, but also utilizes helicopter via Stanford Life Flight and fixed wing via REACH. The Transfer Center, which is a comprehensive center consisting of dedicated 24/7 transfer center nurses, communication specialists, and authorization and verification specialists, is conducted in a partnership with Stanford Hospital and Clinics. The Transfer Center and Transport Program are run administratively through a dedicated director, Andrew Palmquist, RN who partners closely with the Transfer Center Medical Director, Dr. Nathan Luna.

Trauma: In 2013, LPCH received level 1 Pediatric Trauma Designation with active involvement in co-management of critically ill trauma patients by the intensivists. As a pediatric trauma center, the PICU manages a wide range of patients and is well supported in collaboration with neurosurgical colleagues to treat head injuries. Pediatric trauma volume exceeds 200 patients annually. Support from transfusion services, radiology and surgical specialties and a dedicated critical care liaison contribute to the program’s success.