The PICU is the section of the hospital that provides sick children with the highest level of medical care.

It's stressful whenever kids are in the hospital, and even more so when they are in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Understanding the people and equipment in the PICU can help you feel better prepared to help your child.

The PICU is the section of the hospital that provides sick children with the highest level of medical care. It differs from other parts of the hospital, like the general medical floors or outpatient clinics, 

In the PICU, kids get intensive nursing care and are monitored very closely. This includes their heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and medication delivery.

The PICU also lets medical staff provide therapies that might not be available in other parts of the hospital. These can include ventilators (breathing machines) and medicines that are used only under close medical supervision.