Pediatric and Advanced Intensive Care Units

The MCH is the only provincial referral centre for neonatal respiratory ECMO and provides support for children of all ages with lung or cardiac failure. Our program is part of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), a world-wide consortium of healthcare centres.

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is commonly used to provide renal support for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Our nurses receive specialized ongoing education in administering Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

The PICU offers advanced modes of ventilation such as high frequency oscillatory ventilation and high frequency jet ventilation.

The MCH is a provincially designated Trauma Centre with renowned clinical programs including neurotrauma, burn trauma and concussion management. For more information about our program, please click here.

• The PICU 6 and PICU 8 are inpatient units in the hospital where children from ages 0 to 18 years old are cared for who have complex and serious health needs
• A large team of specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric nurse practitioners, doctors, pharmacists as well as many other members of the multidisciplinary team, cares for children who are admitted to PICU 6 and 8. Other services may also be involved as consultants in your child’s care.

As your child’s parent or guardian, you are an essential part of the healthcare team. Your insights and presence make a meaningful difference in their care and recovery.

How you can be involved:

• Share what you notice: Let your child’s nurse or doctor know about any changes you see or concerns you have. Ask how you can take part in their daily care.
• Stay connected with your child: Even if your child is receiving sedation or pain relief, they can still hear and feel you. Talk to them, read stories, or gently touch them—your presence is comforting.
• Join morning rounds: You are welcome to join the multidisciplinary team during daily rounds (usually between 9:00–11:00 AM) to hear updates and ask questions about your child’s care plan.
• Care for yourself too: Take time to rest, eat, and step out for short breaks. Caring for yourself helps you better care for your child.
• Stay in touch: You can call the PICU anytime for updates at the following numbers:
  • PICU 6: 514-412-4400, ext. 22855
  • PICU 8: 514-412-4400, ext. 24841
• Support is available: If you would like to speak with a Psychologist, Social Worker, Spiritual Care provider, or Child Life Specialist, please ask your child’s nurse or doctor for a referral.

Visiting the PICU

At our hospital, we prioritize the comfort, safety, and well-being of every child in our care. Please review the following guidelines when planning your visit:

• Parents and legal guardians are welcome to stay with their child at all times.
• Family and Friends are welcome daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. A parent or guardian must meet guests at the entrance and help them navigate the unit.
• Siblings may visit under adult supervision. Please keep them close at all times. They are also welcome to enjoy the JFK Park and the hospital daycare when available.
• To maintain a calm and safe environment, a maximum of two people (including parents) may be at the bedside at any given time on PICU 6. A maximum of four people may be at the bedside on PICU 8. It is preferred that visitors alternate individually at the bedside so that there is always a parent or legal guardian present when others are visiting.
• To ensure patient confidentiality, we ask that hallways in the PICU remain clear at all times.
• Children in our care are especially vulnerable to infections. Visitors should be symptom-free (absence of fever, rashes, cough, runny nose, stomach issues, etc.) for at least 48 hours before visiting.
• Please wash your hands thoroughly before entering and after leaving patient rooms.
• Please visit the following link for information about parking, WiFi and TV, food at the hospital and other resources: https://www.thechildren.com/sites/default/files/mch-welcome-guide-ensingles.pdf

Thank you for helping us create a safe and supportive space for healing.

Parent overnight stay & family lounge guidelines

• Overnight Stay: Rooms are set up for one parent to sleep overnight. If both parents wish to stay, the second parent can use a designated sleep room in the family lounge (only available in PICU 6) or sleep on a lounge chair in the room. Speak with your child’s nurse to request a room—the nurse in charge allocates the two rooms each evening. Please keep in mind, you must vacate the room and empty it of your personal belongings by 08:00 so that housekeeping may clean the room.
• Safety Note: Parents are not permitted to sleep in their child’s bed. This is a hospital-wide policy.
• Family Lounge Access: Our PICU 6 and PICU 8 have family lounges for parents and guardians only. Amenities include a fridge, microwave, bathroom with shower, and towels. Please:
  • Label food with your child’s name and the date.
  • Remove food when your child is transferred to another floor or discharged.
  • Help maintain a clean and quiet space for all families.
  • If you notice any cleanliness issues in the lounge, let your nurse or the nurse in charge know.

Items to bring from home

To help make your stay more comfortable, consider packing the following personal items for your child and yourself:

• Pillow
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and toiletries (including shower sandals)
• Hairbrush or comb
• Socks and non-skid slippers
• Comfortable clothing and pyjamas
• Diapers (if needed)
• A favourite toy, book, or blanket for your child

These familiar items can help ease the hospital experience for both you and your child.

Preventing infections starts with proper hand hygiene. Everyone—staff, patients, and visitors—should clean their hands using soap and water or hand sanitizer. Feel free to remind staff to clean their hands before providing care.

Please wash or sanitize your hands:

1. Before touching your child or entering their room
2. Before performing any procedure or care, such as feeding or giving medications
3. After contact with body fluids, like using the restroom, changing diapers, coughing, or sneezing
4. After touching your child or leaving their room

Hand hygiene helps keep everyone safe and healthy.

All staff and visitors are expected to follow basic infection control procedures.

Visit the page Infection control and patient safety for more information.

Children are more likely to fall from bed when they are sick, on medication, or in an unfamiliar environment. Keeping side rails up helps keep your child safe. You may ask a staff member to show you how to use the side rails properly.

Pressure injuries can develop when there is constant pressure on the skin—often from medical devices like IVs or from staying in one position for too long without movement.

How you can help:

• Talk to us: Ask your child’s care team if they are at risk for developing a pressure injury.
• Share medical history: Let us know if your child has had pressure injuries in the past.
• Watch for skin changes: When bathing or dressing your child, check their skin and let us know about any redness, irritation, or sores.
• Keep skin dry: If your child wears diapers, change them often to prevent moisture build-up that can damage the skin.
• Support repositioning: Help us reposition your child regularly. If they have a favourite sleeping position, please share it with us.
• Encourage movement: If your child is able to move, help them change positions or encourage gentle activity.

We are here to answer any questions you may have about pressure injury prevention. Please do not hesitate to speak with a member of our care team.

Your child’s condition has improved, and they are ready to move from the PICU to a medical or surgical ward. This transition can bring mixed emotions, which is completely normal. Most families feel more at ease as they adjust to the new environment, routine, and care team.

Every child’s recovery is different, so the length of stay on the ward will vary. Feel free to ask your child’s care team about the expected discharge timeline.

• The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Patients’ Committee exists to help patients who get care at the MUHC to:
  • Give you information about hospital services and resources
  • Give you information about your rights as a patient
  • Help you fill out forms
  • Help you file complaints
• For more information about the patients’ committee, and your rights and responsibilities as a patient, please visit the following link: https://muhc.ca/patients-committee/patient-rights-and-responsibilities

• If you have a concern about the services provided to you or your child, or have a suggestion for how something can be improved, please talk to a member of your child’s care team. Most concerns can be resolved quickly by talking with staff in the area involved.
• If you have difficulty explaining your concern or feel that not enough is being done about it, you can contact the hospital’s Complaints and Quality Commissioner (Ombudsperson) who can help with these matters and offer advice and information on hospital practices and procedures. To reach the Ombudsperson, call extension 22223 or email [email protected]