About Our Patient Care Units & Departments
Medical nursing divisions at MCH include:
Emergency Department
The Emergency Department at MCH provides care for nearly 80,000 children annually and serves as a regional Pediatric Trauma Center.
The Emergency Department's customer satisfaction rating was in the 99th percentile among pediatric emergency departments nationwide, as ranked by the Jackson Organization in 2002, and offers one of the shortest emergency room waiting times in country.
The department achieves this success through continuous evaluation of services and processes, and a commitment to implementing changes that enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The Emergency Department is now being expanded to include a state-of-the-art Triage Center, an outdoor play area for siblings and a raised helipad.
For more information, please contact: mailto:deborah.salani@mch.com?bcc=cheryl.topps@mch.com.
back to top
Critical Care Units
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
MCH's 16-bed Pediatric Intensive Care unit (PICU) has the most sophisticated and extensive pediatric intensive care technology and experience available. The PICU consistently outperforms national averages in both success rates and length of patient stays.
The staff includes four pediatric intensivists, pediatric fellows, pediatric residents and maintains a 1:2 nurse/patient ratio to ensure optimal and personal care.
The PICU is home to the state's first and largest pediatric and neonatal Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) resource for children with life-threatening heart and lung conditions. It is also one of three pediatric apheresis blood treatment centers in the state.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a two-day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department's Clinical Educator. The PICU unit establishes an individualized orientation that is based on the experience of the nurse. The average length of orientation is six to 12 weeks.
For more information, please contact: Bing.Wood@mch.com.
back to top
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The 30-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides care for babies who are born early. It includes 23 designated Level III beds and 7 designated level II beds. Our Level III nurse/patient ratio is 1:1 or 1:2 depending on the level of care required by the patient. The Level II nurse/patient ratio is 1:3 or 1:4.
The unit is capable of invasive and non-invasive monitoring of the neonate's cardiorespiratory systems and can provide oxygen, suction and age appropriate thermoregulation. In addition, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation are monitored continuously.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a two-day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department's Clinical Educator. The NICU has an individualized orientation program based on the experience of the nurse. An experienced nurse might complete orientation in three weeks, while GNs and RNs without NICU experience may require six to 12 weeks of orientation.
For more information, please contact: Mirtha.Gonzalez@mch.com.
back to top
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Miami Children's Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is one of the few pediatric CICUs in the nation. The unit provides highly specialized pre- and post-operative care for children undergoing cardiac surgery and interventional catheterization.
The latest equipment and a multidisciplinary team ensure the finest care for pediatric cardiac patients. Innovative therapies available in the pediatric CICU include nitric oxide (an inhaled medication used to relax blood vessels), new inotropic agents, mechanical cardiac assist technology, and a computerized data collection and storage system providing an integrated database for management of patients with complex lesions.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a two-day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department's Clinical Educator. An individualized program of orientation is established for each new nurse. The average duration is six to 12 weeks.
For more information, please contact: Mary.Ernst@mch.com.
back to top
Surgical Services
Ambulatory Surgery Unit
This eight-bed, same-day surgery unit includes a 10- to 12-bed post-operative care unit. Average monthly census is approximately 500, with the age of patients ranging from newborns to 21 years. The unit provides care to all morning admissions for the following surgeries: general, ophthalmology, ENT, orthopaedics, plastic and reconstructive, neurosurgery, cardiovascular, urology, dermatology and dental.
For more information, please contact: Carolyn.Domina@mch.com.
back to top
Cardiac Catheterization Lab
This unit provides the highest quality cardiac catheterization in terms of accuracy and timeliness in the safest possible manner. The unit participates in many clinical trials and is a world leader as the site of numerous medical firsts.
For more information, please contact: Carolyn.Domina@mch.com.
back to top
Operating Room
The OR includes six OR suites and well as two minor procedure rooms. The OR provides care for 700 to 800 children each month. Patient ages range from newborns to 21 years of age. The OR also has a Level I Trauma Center.
For more information, please contact: Carolyn.Domina@mch.com.
back to top
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
This unit has stretcher capacity to serve six patients and one isolation patient. PACU provides safe and accurate post-operative monitoring and observation of patients.
For more information, please contact: Carolyn.Domina@mch.com.
back to top
Inpatient Units
Pediatric Surgical Unit/Orthopaedic (2 East)
This 30-bed surgical/ orthopaedic unit provides care for children newborn to adolescent who have undergone general pediatric surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, urological surgery and orthopaedic surgery and treatment. The unit also provides care for general medical patients.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a four-day nursing classroom orientation conducted by the Education Department and then transitioned to an individualized unit clinical orientation approximately four to six weeks long with a preceptor and supervised by the Clinical Nurse Specialist.
This is an exciting high paced nursing unit with the opportunity to acquire advanced level nursing skills such as complex surgical patients or the care of chronic ventilated-tracheostomy patients requiring surgical/ orthopedic or medical services.
For more information, please contact: Jill.Tahmooressi@mch.com.
back to top
Neurological and Neurosurgical Services Unit (3 South)
This 30-bed unit emphasizes holistic care in the treatment of patients who are receiving care for neurological conditions or who have undergone neurosurgery. The unit provides care for children experiencing seizures and neurodevelopmental delays, brain tumors and head trauma. The unit is also a general medical unit that admits all types of general medical diagnoses.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a two-day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department's Clinical Educator. This is followed by a six to 12 weeks unit orientation.
For more information, please contact: Maria.Soto@mch.com.
back to top
Renal/Gastroenterology/Endocrinology Unit (3 Northeast)
This 30-bed unit utilizes a holistic approach to the care of children ranging from newborns to young adults. The following are the most common diagnoses admitted to the unit: diabetes, nephritic syndrome/renal diagnosis (including dialysis), gastroenterology disorders, respiratory diseases, general medical disorders.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a four- day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department and then transitioned to an individualized unit clinical orientation approximately four to six weeks long with a preceptor, and supervised by the Clinical Nurse Specialist.
This is a rewarding nursing unit with the opportunity to acquire advanced level nursing skills such as peritoneal dialysis and insulin pump technology.
For more information, please contact: Jill.Tahmooressi@mch.com.
back to top
Respiratory Unit (3 East)
This 30-bed unit provides care for children with respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchiolitis, RSV, croup, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis, as well as some general medical patients.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a two-day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department's Clinical Educator. This is followed by a six to 12 weeks unit orientation.
For more information, please contact: Maria.Soto@mch.com.
back to top
Hematology/Oncology and Immunology Unit (3 North)
This unit consists of 26 rooms, 10 of which are isolation rooms. Isolation rooms are used for post bone marrow transplant patients, febrile patients and neutropenic patients. All 3 North rooms have a HEPA filtration system to decrease risk of infection. Located within 3 North is a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, which has 3 Laminar air flow rooms. Also in 3 North is an Infusion Unit for patients requiring short-term infusion care.
Orientation: All new nursing employees take part in a two-day nursing orientation conducted by the Education Department's Clinical Educator. This is followed by a four to six weeks unit orientation.
For more information, please contact: Jane.Bragg@mch.com.
back to top
Ambulatory Units
Dialysis Unit
Miami Children's Hospital Dialysis Unit provides specialized modalities for the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Pediatric population throughout South Florida. As part of Outpatient Center Services, the Hemodialysis unit encompasses 5 stations with the capacity of serving 30 patients per week on an outpatient basis. The unit also provides acute services to adjacent units; PICU, NICU, CICU, and 3NE respectively. The advanced modalities of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), Peritoneal Dialysis, and Hemodialysis are implemented with specific attention to the individual needs of the patient in acute renal failure. The care team provides 24 hour on-call services 365 days per year. In addition, the dialysis unit also serves the needs of those end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving Peritoneal Dialysis home therapy. The team educates the patient and family prior to discharge on all facets of peritoneal dialysis specific to care and management in the home environment. Interdisciplinary rounds are held within the unit, in which all facets of client care; dialysis prescription, renal osteodystrophy, anemia, lab adequacy, nutrition, access management, clinical status, medications, social services, and spiritual counseling are reviewed.
The unit values the significance of research, preventive maintenance, and education. In addition to continual daily education with our ESRD population, patient management classes are provided to nurses hospital-wide for knowledge and hands-on skill in the care of pediatric patients in need of peritoneal dialysis on adjacent units.
The unit consists of registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse, an ARNP/ Manager, Medical Director, and Nursing Director. All new nursing employees have prior hemodialysis experience and skills. Orientation is specific to the care of the ESRD pediatric population, acute hemodialysis modalities, and peritoneal dialysis. This is a rewarding environment to work in with opportunities to learn specialized nursing.
For more information, please contact
Jill.Tahmooressi@mch.com
back to top
MCH Pediatric Care Center
Nurses provide primary care for well and sick children. Services include immunizations and sub-specialties including ENT, dermatology, genetics, neurology, neuro-developmental, endocrinology, allergy, pulmonology, urology as well as a Diabetic Clinic.
In an office-like setting, the nurses provide primary care for children ranging from newborns and preemies to young adults. Nurses administer vaccines, coordinate treatment and procedures and aid in patient education.
For more information, please contact
Eleanor.Tinto-Poitier@mch.com
back to top
LifeFlight® Critical Care Transport Program
Miami Children's Hospital LifeFlight® provides specialized advanced life support via ground, helicopter and fixed wing aircraft for neonatal and pediatric patients throughout South Florida, the Caribbean and South America, day or night, 365 days a year.
Staffing is provided by a team of an RN, Paramedic and EMT and Communication Specialist. If needed, a physician will accompany the LifeFlight® medical crew members. Drivers are EMT's or paramedics and have been trained in the safe operation of emergency vehicles and equipment. The pilots are standing by 24 hours a day and can respond within minutes to a trip.
LifeFlight® provides a specialty neonatal/pediatric team of an RN and Paramedic on all transports. Quality patient is assured during transport because LifeFlight's medical crew members are recognized for their high standards of professional excellence. They have advanced neonatal/pediatric cardiac and critical care experience. Each RN and Paramedic is certified in PALS (Pediatric advanced Life Support, ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life support) and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) and has specialized Department of Transportation flight training and safety. These programs include survival training, skill labs as well as intubation training. EMT's and Paramedics have been trained in the safe operation emergency vehicles and equipment.
For more information, please contact: mailto:maria.fernandez@mch.com?bcc=cheryl.topps@mch.com
back to top