Cardiology | Inpatient Services
The inpatient service at St. Louis Children's Hospital for infants and
children with cardiac problems is structured around a model of
coordinated care that makes the admission as comfortable and pleasant as
possible, while still supplying a level of care that is the best
available. All inpatient settings for our patients are located in the
same-general area. The
inpatient cardiology floor
and the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
are both on the 7th floor, and are separated only by
an adjoining door. The new
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory,
due to open at the start of 2001, will be adjacent to these two units.
(See below for
what to expect
when your child is admitted to the hospital.)
A newly redesigned and refurbished unit, 7 West consists
of 14 semi-private rooms, each with 2 beds. Nursing
staff on this floor are trained specifically to deal
with cardiology patients. Telemetry (which is continuous
cardiac monitoring) is available for each bed space.
This includes remote telemetry, which allows your child
to move around on the cardiology floor and still be
monitored at all times. Each individual bed space is
also furnished with it's own television, VCR and
Nintendo play station. A selection of videos and games
is available on the unit.
Take a
virtual tour
of the 7 West Cardiology Unit.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
is also newly redesigned and allows for intensive monitoring and care of
critically ill children. The 28 bed spaces are supported by one-on-one
nursing staff, trained specifically for the intensive care of infants
and children with congenital and acquired heart disease. The medical
staff consist of a combination of Intensive Care physicians, Pediatric
Cardiologists and Cardiothoracic Surgeons, who all actively participate
in the care of the patients through joint rounds, patient care
conferences and procedures, if necessary.
Take a
virtual tour
of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Will I be able to stay with my child after they are admitted?
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On the 7 West cardiology inpatient floor, parents are able to stay with
their child at all times. There is space for one parent to sleep in the
room beside their child. Additional sleeping space and bathroom
facilities with showers are available in the parent lounge on the 7th
floor. In the Intensive Care Unit, parents are asked to leave during
patient care rounds in the morning to ensure the privacy of other
patients. At most other times parents may sit at their child's bedside.
During the night, space for parents is available in the parent's lounge.
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What should we bring to the hospital?
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Comfort items such as blankets, stuffed animals, pacifiers or any other
items that will make your child feel more comfortable. All food,
diapers, hygiene items and appropriate hospital clothing will be
provided. You may bring your child's own pajamas.
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Who will look after my child?
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Specially trained nursing staff are used in the Intensive Care and on
the 7 West inpatient cardiology floor. An attending pediatric
cardiologist is responsible for the supervision of your child's
treatment at all times during the admission.
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SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
